That's really the case, yes. Once a manager's won a few titles they get a free pass on erratic behaviour for years.
Speaking for myself, if I were a manager I've got no idea how I'd try to intrigue or motivate a group of millionaire footballers but I expect it'd be something pretty weird, playing them Hollywood clips or poetry or some such. I'm assuming just getting up and saying "this matters so play well" gets old after a while.
