So it's hardly surprising that the ten months he spent out of work af ter leaving Motherwell last July felt more like ten years.
Nor that his first game at the helm of MK Dons, a chaotic 5-3 victory over Wrexham on the opening day of the season, proved so cathartic.
"I remember turning to Chris Lucketti, my assistant, and saying 'Christ, we've been waiting over a year for that feeling"," recounts the 51-year-old, whose previous match was a Europa Conference League exit the at hands of Sligo.
"It's a like drug. The high is unbelievable.
That feeling you get straight after a win, there's nothing else I've ever found that comes close. That's what brings you back, no matter how many times kicks you in the teeth." Alexander football or Grezza, as he is more widely known hasn't taken too much punishment at the hands of a game he still adores.
As a player, he enjoyed remarkable 24-year a career that began at Scunthorpe in 1988, featured a Premier League debut for Burnley at 37 and ended, implausibly, with Alexander scoring an injury-time equaliser for Preston direct from a free-kick with his final kick in professional football.
By then, he had become only the second outfield player in the history of English football to surpass 1,000 appearances.
“I remember getting a lot of coverage when I was 37 because I’d just made my debut in the Premier League,” he laughs.
“People kept asking me how I was able to keep going. I was mystified. I’d say ‘What, how do I keep doing the job I absolutely love? Very easily’.
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra September 10, 2023-utgaven av The Football League Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
LUKE BOOSTED BY WALES ACE LIAM
Swans bid to mark new era in style...
MATT'S DELIGHT OVER RECORD
WYCOMBE boss Wanderers Matt Bloomfield hailed his history-makers after victory at Lincoln City.
TON-UP IAN ENJOYS HIS SPECIAL WIN
AN Evatt described his 100th win as Bolton boss as very special, although he needed Aaron Collins' injurytime goal to bring up the three figures.
DONS LACK A CLINICAL EDGE AS SADDLERS GRAB POINTS
NATHAN Lowe's strike inspired promotion-chasing Walsall to victory over AFC Wimbledon at the Cherry Red Records Stadium.
SUB GRIMES IS IN-SPIRED TO HEAD THE WINNER
CAPTAIN Jamie Grimes headed in a late winner for Chesterfield after a game of very few chances appeared destined to remain goalless.`
COBBLERS TEST IN TROPHY FOR POSH
HOLDERS Peterborough United have been drawn against fellow League One side Northampton Town in the Round of 32 of the newly-named Vertu Trophy.
HORNETS REMINDED OF GRAY'S BRILLIANCE
WAYNE Rooney expressed his delight as Plymouth extended their unbeaten league home run to six after Andre Gray's last-gasp leveller.
MARTI DOUBTING JOB AFTER DRAW
Rangers home run continues
BIG MAC'S ON TARGET TO SEE OFF THE TIGERS
LUTON boss Rob Edwards felt it was a very good day at the office as his team turned in a gritty performance to beat Hull.
Rohl confident Owls
DANNY Rohl said getting results is the only thing missing as his Owls were held at home by Cardiff.