THE appointment of Sven Goran Eriksson has not met with the unqualified approval of Manchester City fans.
But George Graham, who faced much more intense criticism when he took over as Tottenham boss, has some simple advice for the Swede.
"There is only thing that will silence them," said Graham. "And that is to win silverware. It is as simple and as harsh as that."
Eriksson's club record with the likes of Benfica, Sampdoria and Lazio may be impressive but English fans have reservations after his failure to get past the quarter-final stage of three major tournaments while in charge of the national team.
City fans are famously loyal and supportive of a club long on passion and potential but short on silverware - their last trophy was the League Cup in 1976.
Nevertheless, Eriksson will need to show quickly that the team is heading in the right direction under his leadership.
Graham moved to White Hart Lane from Leeds but he will forever be linked with Arsenal - as a player and as a manager who brought two League titles to Tottenham's bitter North London rivals. Hence the reluctance of Spurs supporters to accept him.
When it became clear he was coming to Tottenham, some hot-heads boarded the Leeds team coach in search of the manager-elect - and their intent was not a tactical discussion.
During games, Graham's name was never sung. "Man in the raincoat's blue-and-white army" was the nearest he was given to any recognition. A handful never accepted him.
"The only thing you can do is be successful," said Graham. "That must be Sven's target. I got it far worse than he will, but he must make his mark and the only way he can do that is by winning trophies.
"I won the League Cup with Tottenham in my first season in 1999 - and that remains the last trophy they won. What I had to do the next season was do better and push for the League or another Cup.
"What made it harder was the way that Arsenal were doing so well just up the road. It was almost impossible. Sven has a similar situation because of the enormous success that Manchester United have had for so many years.
"As I see it, there are a lot of fans still sitting on the fence - neither for him nor against him. The first couple of months will be so important. If it goes well, fine. If it doesn't then his time with England will be brought up.
"What is in his favour is that he is a foreigner. They are a different type of manager. They move clubs a lot.
"Just look at the CV of someone like Leo Beenhaaker. I forget how many clubs he has had.
"The one thing Sven can do if he does think he has to go is find another job. It happens all the time on the continent. AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus, Real Madrid ...they are changing managers all the time.
"The only thing that will convince the City fans that he is the right man is by winning things."
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Jonathan Pearce
ALEC STEWART
THE MOLE