Western Bulldogs coach Luke Beveridge couldn't believe it when he learned North Melbourne had sacked Alastair Clarkson on Wednesday.
The Kangaroos informed Clarkson they were tearing up his contract with one year remaining on his deal.
Beveridge spent three years (2012-2014) working closely under Clarko at Hawthorn, and spoke to the persistent speculation regarding AFL coaches' futures.
"Really?" he quizzed.
"I could say so much, but I prefer to say very little. What can you say?
"I think the difficult thing in what we're all doing is that it's a different culture now in our code. We've almost become the EPL (English Premier League), where senior coaches' tenure and your own coaching mortality is speculated a lot more than it used to be, as opposed to the NFL, where you can have a winning season, and it's considered a success.
"I think beyond the senior coaches, the fallout with families and people close to you is considerable. What I'm concerned about is the next generation of senior coaches. Do they really want to put them in the situation from the start of their tenure where their vocational sustainability is speculated upon? It's not a nice place to live.
"Clarko has been an amazing coach. An amazing custodian of the game and obviously really outspoken, and pushed his own opinions to make the game better.
"I spent three years with him at the Hawks during a really successful time and got enormous value and experience out of that.
"I used the word disconcerting, and it's appropriate."
Beveridge's comments come in a season when Carlton and Essendon parted ways with Michael Voss and Brad Scott.
Adelaide coach Matthew Nicks has been put under the microscope leading into the club's elimination final against the Bulldogs, with reports indicating he may not lead the Crows next year if they lose.
Pressure has been heaped on Clarkson during North Melbourne's rebuild, as it has on West Coast and Andrew McQualter, as well as Richmond and Adem Yze.
Even Damien Hardwick has been questioned if he's the man for Gold Coast, despite only holding the role for three seasons.
