It wasn't supposed to end like this, was it?
If Jon Dahl Tomasson was to leave Blackburn Rovers before the end of his three-year contract, he was expected to sail into the sunset with a flash new job on the horizon.
Instead, the Danish head coach has spent the last 24 hours negotiating his exit from Ewood Park after reaching the point of no return in the last week.
The end of the January transfer window has proven symbolic for Tomasson's tenure, with the failure to register Duncan McGuire proving the final straw.
Tomasson's relationship with the Blackburn Rovers board has been strained since the summer when he offered his resignation after learning of the budget cuts and financial problems. That revelation, in what proved to be his last press conference, was a sign of what was to follow.
The situation became untenable and with a crucial run of matches coming up, it's been decided that the best thing for everyone is a clean break. John Eustace is lined up to take the reigns at Ewood Park with Rovers moving quickly to ensure the season does not continue to unwind.
A run of one win in 11 Championship matches means Tomasson has to take his share of the blame too, even if he felt he was managing with a hand tied behind his back.
This season, the team have been porous defensively and there has, at times, been a reluctance to make pragmatic changes. Rovers have conceded 55 goals this season, the worst in the division; that is not a short-term problem.
It is a massive shame that Tomasson's reign has come to an end in this manner. He was a personable, likeable and passionate figurehead for the club. He wore his heart on his sleeve and there was a genuine connection with the club and its supporters.
Things didn't click immediately, despite positive results at the start of last season. Whilst Rovers entered the World Cup break third in the table, it was clear they were in a false position based on hot finishing and strong form at Ewood Park.
It wasn't until the New Year that the football philosophy became clear. In the next six months, Rovers developed an identity which fueled an incredible FA Cup run that took them to within 10 minutes of a first trip to the new Wembley.
The victory at Leicester City and the occasion at Bramall Lane will live long in the memory when fans reflect on Tomasson's reign. Victory over the Blades in the league and the comeback win at Millwall also encapsulated the gung-ho, near-fear football that the head coach implemented.
Behind the scenes, Tomasson was viewed as a 'marmite' figure by some of the players. Many liked him and enjoyed his direct communication style.
One Blackburn Rovers player - who has since departed - described him as a 'genius' just a few months into his reign. There is no doubt that a lot of players improved under his guidance.
It also became apparent that Tomasson was not afraid of reputations. Senior players such as Bradley Dack, Sam Szmodics, John Buckley, Lewis Travis and even Adam Wharton found themselves out of the side at differing points.
Most bounced back, proving their worth in training and then on the pitch. Others found themselves on loan searching for first-team football, in the cases of Travis and Buckley.
Tomasson's no-nonsense approach with the media earned him favour with supporters. The head coach was certainly not afraid to tell it how it was.
So much so that the club banned him from speaking to the media last Friday. With the January window just closed and the McGuire deal up in the air, he was viewed as a 'loose cannon'. Tomasson certainly made up for lost time when he eventually addressed the media after the 2-1 defeat to Queens Park Rangers.
Ultimately, a lot of his points were valid. The head coach had been left with a far younger, less experienced squad compared to the one that missed out on the play-off by goal difference.
The remit of building sustainably for promotion had changed due to Venky's issues in India. That did not fit with Tomasson's ambitions of making it to the very top, as he experienced as a player.
Recruitment was the main sticking point. Rovers needed a striker in the summer and signed Niall Ennis - sold to Stoke City six months later - and Semir Telalovic, yet to score a Championship goal.
Couple that with the Lewis O'Brien and McGuire saga, you can see why he was irritated. Long-term injuries to key players helped like a hole in the head too.
Whilst Tomasson has got to take his share of the blame for this season, he can point to mitigating factors. When you look at the bigger picture, it's hard to say he is the biggest cause for Rovers' current malaise.
After last week's events, there was little logic to suggest prolonging this marriage would be beneficial for anyone.
With two teams below Rovers coming up in the next four days, it is going to be a season-defining fortnight for the club.
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