Alex McLeish's reign at Nottingham Forest could have been shorter than the 41 days he eventually lasted, were it not for some unfinished business.
The Scot wanted to tender his resignation before the weekend but instead he chose to face the music at Birmingham City, where he was returning under a heavy cloud following his defection to Aston Villa.
With that out of the way following a 2-1 defeat, McLeish turned to his own position, attempting to lever himself out of the City Ground with the last vestiges of his reputation still intact.
Blinded: Alex McLeish quickly foudn troubles in the way Nottingham Forest were being run Alex Mcleish's managerial record - including his one victory at ForestThe timing was everything. The closure of the transfer window last Thursday had opened schisms between Forest's boss and the Kuwaiti owners, the Al-Hasawi family, that could not be repaired.
McLeish had agreed to become Sean O'Driscoll's successor because the Kuwaitis had promised cash to strengthen.
He knew the moment he agreed to take on the job that this was it. After such an inglorious episode at Aston Villa, having taken Birmingham City into the Championship the previous season, he needed to deliver. And he needed those around him to deliver, as well.
Unfortunately, what has happened at the City Ground during the past five weeks has turned Nottingham Forest into another Venky's.
Shambles: Nottingham Forest owner Fawaz Al Hasawi (left) and technical advisor Dr Tareq AlJalahmah watch onChaos: Balaji Rao (left) and Venkatesh Rao have overseen Blackburn's descent into obscurity
It is, of course, the name of Blackburn Rovers' owners. It is in danger of becoming a term with hugely negative connotations for football clubs.
But are the events of the past six weeks those that a stable, well-run football club would aspire to? O'Driscoll was sacked - for what reason we are still unsure - and McLeish brought in.
Then the club put head of recruitment Keith Burt on gardening leave, his wife opening a letter from the City Ground while her husband hosted a scouts' meeting.
She phoned him and a startled McLeish had to stammer that he knew nothing about the letter's contents. It was hugely embarrassing for all concerned.
Then, chief executive Mark Arthur, a Forest employee for well over a decade, was pulled out of a meeting and handed his notice.
Nightmare: Greg Halford looks on during another difficult moment for Forest Woes: Dexter Blackstock (right) and co have failed to fire this seasonThe club's scouts were told that a new man would be brought in from the Middle East country and, from now on, agents would be dealing directly with him over player recruitment.
The club credit card was rejected when O'Driscoll went to settle a hotel bill prior to a match at Brighton. And the players have also been paid late. A glitch in the system, so we were told.
Agents have been questioning what action to take against the club over the non-payment of their bills. Clearly, it is as it seems.
Of course, in the middle of all of this is McLeish, a man charged with returning the club to the Premier League following a 15-year absence. And it all came to a head with the farcical events of last week.
Birmingham's Chris Burke - lined-up by McLeish after an initial £300,000 offer was rejected - was the subject of another bid. Only the second time it was for less cash.
Missed Target: Chris Burke was wanted by Forest - but faced them on Saturday with BirminghamPeterborough United's George Boyd, another target, was undergoing a medical last week on transfer deadline day.
Boyd was actually undertaking the examination shortly after midday. By early evening the winger was texting friends, telling them that something was wrong, that no medical should take this long.
He was right. Something was wrong. He had failed an eye test and Forest called the deal off. Posh were furious, absolving McLeish of any blame. But the writing was on the wall.
The former Rangers boss could either continue to pick up his money, and in the process damage his credibility beyond reason. Or he could find a way of finishing this farce. Only it wasn't that easy.
McLeish was pinned by reporters in an ante-room at St Andrew's on Saturday evening and quizzed about his future.
Farce: George Boyd (blue shirt) was at the centre of a transfer shambles'I'd like to help lads,' he said, 'but I can't say what's going on.'
'Can't or won't?' came the reply.
'I can't.'
What has transpired is that McLeish was looking to find a way to terminate his agreement - only the Kuwaitis had threatened to sue for breach of contract.
Over the last 72 hours both sides have been trying to find a way through the legal mess whereby honour, such as it is, is satisfied.
McLeish will write this off as a bad job. To lose one manager when the team is progressing nicely is one thing. To lose a second looks bad. Very bad.
He might just get another crack.
As for Forest, who knows? Pantomime season has just been and gone. But no-one, it seems, has bothered to tell the club's owners.
