Jose Mourinho's departure from Tottenham always felt inevitable given their current patch of form - the timing of it is particularly perplexing though.
The final opportunity of silverware - with Spurs trophy-less since 2008 - comes this Sunday in the Carabao Cup final against Manchester City.
But serial trophy-winner Mourinho, for all his faults a master of finals, will not be on the Wembley touchline, with ex-player Ryan Mason instead on caretaker duties.
Jose Mourinho was sacked as Tottenham manager on Monday after 17 months in charge
Food for thought all round the Spurs dressing room, but with some more than others.