Markus Babbel is now without doubt the A-League's most under-pressure coach. But he isn't going down without a fight.
An uninspired Western Sydney Wanderers outfit slumped to a 5-1 loss to Newcastle Jets at ANZ Stadium, the side's sixth straight home loss.
While Allianz has proven a graveyard for the Wanderers this season, a tepid attacking display and disorganised defending saw Babbel's side ship three goals by halftime.
While the Wanderers offered a little more fight towards the match's end - including a debut goal for former Socceroo Mitch Duke only 18 seconds after taking to the pitch - Babbel said his team were not following his instructions.
"I thought we were a step up from what we were (in this match)," he said.
"The first 10-20 minutes we started well, but then, and I'm not sure why, we forgot the game plan.
"We had good ideas, but then you see the result. If they stop thinking, then you get a result like this. If they're not following us, if you're not doing it, then comes these results.
This is a team, if you let them play, they have quality. For me, one of the best teams in the league. I told the boys, 'If you think we can play with half-power, no chance.'
If you saw us in Brisbane, we played a fantastic first half. In the second, we conceded the equaliser, but this is a different generation. They're not like us, when we played. If I lost 5-1 I would be upset for the entire week. With them, five minutes and then it's normal life."
Babbel has divided opinion with his straightforward approach to media commitments, openly criticising his players and his team's dedication.
But now staring down the barrel of breaking the A-League consecutive home losses record, whether his team will listen any longer to the German coach is unclear, even to Babbel himself.
"I hope so," he said.
"They need to have a look in the mirror, this is what they have to learn. I like the boys, this is what I said to them, 'I like you but this is a results game.'
"If we go into next season with the same team, I can't believe. They are playing for their futures, here or elsewhere.
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