Bayer Leverkusen, Eintracht Frankfurt and Borussia Mönchengladbach all refused to give their coaches clear backing for the future on Saturday after the conclusion of disappointing Bundesliga seasons.
Kasper Hjulmand's sixth-placed Leverkusen failed to qualify for the Champions League and are heading to the Europa League, while Albert Riera's Frankfurt missed Europe altogether and Eugen Polanski's Gladbach flirted with relegation for much of the campaign.
What is remarkable about the trio is that none of the three began the season in their roles - but there are big question marks about them staying.
Leverkusen managing director of sport Simon Rolfes, after a 1-1 draw with Hamburg SV, told reporters: "We want to get clarity on as many things as possible as quickly as possible."
Spaniard Riera, only appointed by Frankfurt at the end of January, has failed to gel with players and fans. He looks the likeliest to be sacked.
Frankfurt sporting director Markus Krösche, following the late 2-2 draw with fourth-placed VfB Stuttgart, said: "I will not talk to you about personnel matters today. Of course we will go into an analysis. That is very clear. And then we will see how we approach it."
Gladbach boss Polanski dragged his side away from danger towards the end of the season and recorded a 4-0 thumping of fifth-placed Hoffenheim on the final day. But that might not have been enough.
The club's sport chief Rouven Schröder remarked: "We will definitely take the whole week to discuss things and then set ourselves up for the new season with full conviction. There is no timeline."
