It must be the hardest job in football, which perhaps explains why Albion have never had one.

Gillingham's Andy Hessenthaler is the Tom Cruise of management, achieving Mission Impossible according to Albion boss Mark McGhee.

The game is littered with player-manager casualties. Former Seagull Andy Ritchie (Oldham), Steve Claridge (Portsmouth), Gary McAllister (Coventry) and Chris Waddle (Burnley) found the dual role tough.

So too did Carlton Palmer (Stockport), Paul Groves (Grimsby), Andy Preece (Bury) and John Taylor (Cambridge United).

Hessenthaler is bucking the trend. He is now in his fifth season as player-manager of Albion's hosts tomorrow after succeeding Peter Taylor at the Priestfield Stadium.

The 39-year-old former assistant guided the unfashionable Gills to a hat-trick of creditable mid-table finishes in the First Division in his first three years at the helm, as well as being a mainstay of their midfield.

McGhee, who started his managerial career as a player-manager at Reading, does not know how Hessenthaler copes.

"I left Newcastle as a player and went to Reading as player-manager until the start of my second season," McGhee said.

"I played a few games and scored a couple of goals, but I didn't enjoy it at all.

"Without any shadow of a doubt the person who has made it work best is Andy Hessenthaler. I don't think I have ever seen him have a bad game for Gillingham.

"He has maintained their position in the League and he has done brilliantly, but I found it very difficult.

"My routine as a player was to train very hard and rest hard. I had to sleep as a player three or four afternoons a week.

"As player-manager I just didn't get the opportunity to prepare the way I had as a player and I therefore found it impossible to be the player that I had been.

"Marrying your training and fitness and getting your rest is one thing, but there is also the mental side of the job, picking the team, dealing with the players and all the other aspects that go with being a manager like dealing with the press.

"It is an impossible job, but he has made the impossible work."

Even Hessenthaler is finding it increasingly difficult. Gillingham only just stayed up last season and are struggling again after a flying start.

Hessenthaler dropped himself from the squad for last week's draw at Coventry and Saturday's defeat at Reading.

Albion defender Guy Butters, a player under Hessenthaler at Gillingham, believes his old boss is not ready to hang up his boots just yet.

"When I was there Richard Hill and Wayne Jones were both assistant managers and they took the training," Butters said.

"Hessy joined in and you couldn't fault him for his commitment. He had the respect of the lads.

"Everyone knew him as a friend because we played with him, but when he put things on like running sessions he didn't sit on the sidelines telling people what to do, he was in the thick of it doing it as well and nine times out of ten he was at the front.

"Even though he was a lot older than most of the players he led by example. He gained everyone's respect in that sense.

"Last year they were nearer the bottom than they would have liked but they are similar to us. They have got limited resources but have a good core of players.

"There are no big time Charlies there, identical to Brighton. They have got people who are hard-working and Andy is at the forefront of that.

"He is touching 40, so it's very difficult to keep playing, but he is very fit. You cannot fault his enthusiasm and he likes to lead by example.

"I think just lately he realises as you get to a certain age your body cannot do it week in and week out. I am told the pitch at Gillingham is a bit heavy as well, so maybe that has taken its toll.

"I think he is trying to take a bit of a back seat, organises things from the side and then if things are not going too well he may be picking himself again."

Hessenthaler is nothing if not a fighter. Don't be surprised to see him out on the pitch again rather than in the dugout when Gillingham visit Withdean on Boxing Day.