League Managers Association chief executive John Barnwell has warned clubs considering axing their managers to consult the history books before making any rash decisions.

The season was barely a week old when the Football League suffered its first managerial casualty, Carlisle parting company with manager Neil McDonald.

This week it was the turn of Tottenham boss Martin Jol to hit the headlines after his position appeared to come under threat when news of an alleged meeting between club officials and Sevilla coach Juande Ramos emerged from Spain following Spurs' indifferent start to the campaign.

Jol's position at White Hart Lane has never been under such scrutiny, however, and Barnwell admits the LMA are ''extremely frustrated'' by speculation surrounding managers' futures at such an early stage in the season.

He said: ''We have spoken with Martin several times. It's a bit of an uncomfortable situation that has arisen. To consider removing managers so early this season historically has proven to be a failure.

''It has happened several times and of course it has happened at a lower level with Carlisle United with Neil McDonald, who finished quite well in the league last year and he was dismissed.

''It leaves us extremely frustrated that clubs are so nervous and restless and are so prepared to make such sudden changes.

''Over many years, we have had it analysed that those clubs who change very quickly very, very rarely achieve what they want to.

''As for Martin Jol, we will keep our comments reserved on that for the moment. Martin has handled himself extremely professionally and therefore we do not want to say anything more.

''I have spoken to Martin in relation to the press comments to ask him for his views on it. We have had several conversations with Martin and those conversations will remain very, very private.''

Barnwell admits the LMA are powerless to combat the increasing pressure to which modern-day managers are subjected but called for clubs and fans to show patience.

''We can't do anything, we have no control over clubs, chairmen and their agenda,'' he said. ''We have to just hope clubs and supporters are more patient.''

''The one thing that has become less and less of a commodity at the highest level of this game is time and that commodity is in very, very short supply.

''All we can do is advise and help to prepare the managers for the difficult life they work in."