If following Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United was the toughest job in football, taking the captain's armband from Steve Gerrard at Liverpool ran it a close second.
Certainly, Jordan Henderson has done far better with his challenge than the succession of managers at Old Trafford.
It is exactly nine years ago since Henderson signed for Kenny Dalglish's Liverpool from Sunderland. During that time he's come close to leaving, had his running style mocked and been made chief scapegoat whenever Liverpool struggled.
Yet he's overcome it all and can celebrate his 30th birthday later this month with his reputation at an all-time high.