Harry Redknapp, sacked by Tottenham Hotspur after almost four years at White Hart Lane, executed a good job at the club to elevate them into the Champions League.
Over the course of three full seasons, Spurs cemented themselves as one of the most entertaining sides to watch in English football, with their manager largely credited for their resurgence.
Over the course of 12 Champions League matches (including qualifying) in 2010/11, Spurs scored 25 goals - 18 coming in the six group games as they defeated reigning European champions Internazionale.
Qualifying for the competition resulted in Redknapp being soaked by David Bentley (hitting the target for once in a white shirt) after that 1-0 win at Manchester City in May.
During their Champions League campaign, Spurs won at Arsenal for the first time in 17 years having gone 2-0 down at half-time, and Redknapp was a man doing well.
Yet Redknapp could not shake off the "typical Spurs" tag. The capitulations which were frivolously excused, the lack of silverware and the oncoming threat of doom all recurred.
And there was also the tax fraud charges. Redknapp, as synonymous with money as Harry Enfield's Loadsamoney, would spend a typical deadline day bringing half-a-dozen players in, or buying Rafael van der Vaart for a knockdown £8m.
The "wheeler dealer" tag had stuck. Something which Redknapp took exception to when labelled it by Sky Sports' Rob Palmer. Three days later, he signed Van der Vaart with moments to spare until the closure of the transfer window.
WARNING: EXPLICIT LANGUAGE
Ironically, his acquittal of the charges on 8 February initiated his annus horribilis in 2012. A couple of weeks earlier some suggested Tottenham were title challengers, they eventually finished fourth.
But money is a stigma he will always struggle to shake off. Middle Eastern clubs are reportedly keen to acquire him, while Redknapp's disenchantment at a lack of funds and alacrity over not being offered a new deal by chairman Daniel Levy was further confirmation.
Woeful at Wembley
And with no silverware or Champions League qualification to show for it, as well as having fluttered his eyelashes at the FA until Roy Hodgson was appointed England manager, the 65-year-old had reached the finishing line in the eyes of the Spurs board.
Car windows at half mast...