What people do seem to forget is just how toxic the club was when he took over. From top to bottom, from board room, to manager, to players to fans, everyone hated everyone else. It was awful.
He turned that around. He brought in the likes of Terry and Snodgrass who completely revitalised the dressing room. The fans got back on board again and the club and fans all seemed to be pulling in the same direction again.
I do however acknowledge that by the end it had gone pretty much full circle and the atmosphere was getting toxic towards him again. In hindsight he probably stayed 6 months too long, but credit to him for not walking when both his parents died.