It appeared to be a curious final act to one of football's most illustrious careers.
Pep Guardiola, a serial champion with Barcelona, spending the twilight of his playing days with the largely unknown Mexican club Dorados de Sinaloa in a city - Culiacan - best known for its ruthless drugs cartels.
As it happened, Guardiola, then 35, was restricted by injuries to just 10 appearances in the Mexican league and couldn't prevent Dorados from suffering relegation.
Pep Guardiola is set to appoint his friend and mentor Juanma Lillo (left) as his assistant
But while this six-month Mexican detour in 2006 was of little reward for Guardiola the ageing player, it would prove of immense value for Guardiola the aspiring coach.