As Roberto Di Matteo's Aston Villa were struggling to a 1-1 draw at home to Newcastle United on September 24, Steve Bruce was completing an extended summer break at his Portuguese villa by enjoying a farewell boat party with friends on the Mediterranean.
It was his way of recharging batteries after a stressful end to his time at Hull City which ended in his resignation on July 22 having been starved of funds for new players because of the club's on-off takeover saga.
The sun, sea and golf has obviously worked. Not only is Bruce fighting fit and raring to go once again, in his absence he became the most wanted manager in the country; the favourite at one stage for Aston Villa, Derby County and England, having been interviewed for that job before Sam Allardyce took it in the summer.