What now? The question is short but the answer Everton must provide in response, following an unexpectedly dramatic day, has to be clear and compelling.
As the sun beat down on Everton's training ground at Finch Lane on Tuesday, you would have been forgiven for thinking that all was well in the world.
But inside the main complex, their world was being turned upside down.
Carlo Ancelotti had arrived at 11.15am for talks with director of football Marcel Brands that would end with the Italian ending a spell in charge that lasted 18 months.