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Alan McDonald remains deeply hurt by the personal abuse hurled in his direction after the 6-0 defeat to Coleraine but at Seaview on Saturday his friends were queuing up to encourage him to fight on.
The stinging criticism is likely to strengthen McDonald's resolve to bring success to the club and shut up his critics but he will continually ask himself the question "Is it worth it?"
Alan's brother Roy — the goalkeeping coach at Crusaders — his assistant at Glentoran, George Neill, and Crues boss Stephen Baxter had their own message for the boo-boys.
Baxter spoke at length about the pressures of football management and he is fuming at the abuse McDonald has had to deal with.
"This is one of the biggest disgraces in football," said Baxter.
"You are talking about a Northern Ireland international, a legend who worked tirelessly to take us to a World Cup finals.
"He is a gentleman from a great family. Roy has been here with us for many years. The McDonald family are just phenomenal people. To be subjected to that abuse is just uncalled for.
"We are all busy trying to win football matches but when it becomes aggresssive, abusive and personal it is wrong. Alan doesn't deserve that, he's a great guy who will bounce back and lead his team for many more years to come.
"He's a great guy and we wish him a very speedy recovery from this trauma he is going through at the moment.
"You can turn round and say I don't need this and walk away or you can stand up and get on with the job. Alan McDonald is a football person who has played the game at the highest level — not just locally.
"He's worked on a professional coaching level with clubs in England and what that guy doesn't know about football is not worth knowing.
“He's a class guy and I give him all the backing that I personally have.
"I spoke to him before the game and he will come back stronger. People don't understand what goes on in football and how managers work seven days a week behind the scenes.
"You are looking for a break of the ball but no-one likes getting beat 6-0 or 4-0. That happens and that's why we all love football and why we keep coming back. It's an exciting game but you don't direct that type of abuse at people, you take that out of it.
"I have no problems with people expressing their feelings and people have shouted at me but the fact is Alan McDonald does not deserve this."
McDonald's right hand man, George Neill, is backing the man in charge to show the same fighting spirit he was famous for in a Northern Ireland jersey.
"Going back to the England match, you saw Alan's fight, desire and commitment," said Neill.
"Nothing has changed. Last week he was on the ropes but the same man will now be twice as determined to put things right.
“Maybe this knock we have taken will be good in the long run and everyone's mindset will change as a result.
"The severity of the criticism caught Alan by surprise and it was a disgrace."
Alan's brother Roy added: "Look at the Portadown result today (8-2 v Dungannon Swifts) and then look at Coleraine losing to the Whites after beating the Glens. Everyone is capable of beating everyone else.
"Alan has been in the game a long time and he's a total professional who takes criticism personally. He has deflected a lot of stick away from the players and taken it on the chin but there comes a time when you cannot do that anymore. The players have to stand up and be counted.
"Alan has analysed things and I feel he has made the right decision in remaining at the club."
Glentoran were naturally hungry to return to winning ways at Seaview but they got their timing all wrong as they had to adjust to an artifical surface and then find a way past an inspired goalkeeper Chris Keenan.
Perhaps inevitably it was errors that led to both goals.
Sloppy defending from the Crues, culminating in Colin Coates' desperate lunge on Kyle Neill, provided Gary Hamilton with the opportunity to drill home the opener from the penalty spot on 29 minutes.
The equaliser arrived in the 54th minute but Glens goalkeeper James Taylor will still be wondering how he failed to gather a speculative 40-yard strike from Jordan Owens.
Taylor isn't fully fit and there can be a wicked bounce off the new Seaview surface but he will feel he should have made the save.
Even though Martin Donnelly missed a good chance for the home side, it was the champions who finished the game stronger.
Keenan, though, produced "three world class saves", according to Baxter to frustrate Neill, Michael Halliday and Andy Waterworth.
The physios of both sides are also braced for a busy spell as Hamilton, Daryl Fordyce, Chris Morrow and David Rainey all picked up injuries.
"We must adapt quickly to the surface but all the teams in the league train on this so I don't think it holds much fear," added Baxter.
"If Manchester United can play on it in the Champions League it is good enough for us."
