ALBEIT briefly, there was a theory that Gareth Southgate might stay on after all.
Let's not forget this was the manager who had led England to their first ever major final on foreign soil and the FA were desperate for him to remain in charge.
And then came the fallout.
The disappointment, anger and bile following England's defeat in the Euros final.
There was no way back.
Southgate had insisted he was going to talk things through with his family on Monday night as he was in no mood to make a snap decision.
By 11am on Tuesday, farewell statements were issued.
Never mind that Southgate, in his eight years in charge, had got to the last eight or beyond of more tournaments than Sir Bobby Robson, Terry Venables and Glenn Hoddle (all three inset, right) combined.
Or that he had won nine knockout games when England had won a total of seven in their previous years.
England expects.
And that is why they call it the impossible job.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 17, 2024 من Daily Mirror UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة July 17, 2024 من Daily Mirror UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
SMITH WILL HAVE A BLAST!
England star on a Surrey mission
CUP AND DOWN
GB suffer final-eight blow as Draper and Evans lose to Argentina
Love cheat jailed for hiring hitman to kill wife launches appeal
Bid may dash hope of finding 1981 attacker as it will delay cops' quiz
EX-COP JAILED FOR STEALING CASH FROM DEAD MAN'S WALLET
Axed PC gets 16 months for 'abhorrent' crime
Tories didn't give a monkey's about carers.... does Labour?
Lib Dem Ed in call to tackle crisis
My husband panicked I was pregnant again when I said I had a secret to tell him...
Quek's biggest fan loves dance quest
Stephen should be turning 50 this week, out in the world, living his life.He's not, but this man is...
Lawrence suspect out for stroll
Freddie TV cricket teen killed in crash
Tributes paid to Field of Dreams star Umar, 18
18-YEAR-OLD IS HELD OVER 3 'MURDERS'
Firearm recovered after incident
UNITED FRONT
President and PM rebut Putin's threat | Zelensky's longer-range missiles plea | Gaza on agenda but nó Kamala