Amid the Hibernian fans' sorrow at the departure of the man they call Sir David Gray, the discussions were already being had. Given the Easter Road club's underwhelming start to the season, and the feeling the writing had been on the wall for the club legend, it would not be a stretch to think that the Hibs board have something of a plan in place. John Potter will take charge of Saturday's Scottish Premiership home match against Aberdeen, before a lengthy international break.
But who will be in charge when Hibs next take the field at Dundee United on 10 October? Do sporting director Malky Mackay, chairman Ian Gordon and chief executive Dan Barnett opt for a known name on these shores? Or do they follow city rivals Hearts, and before them Motherwell, in moving for a man abroad?
That appears to be the appetite of the Easter Road faithful. But, whoever they appoint, former Hibs midfielder Scott Allan insists it "has to be right". Gray sacked by Hibs after six league games Painful endgame for Gray as stale Hibs slump Dismissing a manager is nothing new in Hibs' relatively recent past.
Not being able to replace them with Gray is, though. The stints of Jack Ross, Shaun Maloney and Lee Johnson were all followed by Gray taking interim charge. And when Nick Montgomery's tenure ended, Gray again stepped in but stayed for two years.
The Scottish Cup final hero steadied the most unstable of ships, steered them to back-to-back top five finishes and European football in consecutive campaigns. That was never the issue, though. How they got there, their style of play - or lack thereof recently - was.
That is what makes this next appointment tricky. Motherwell have made it look easy. First, they identified in Jens Berthel Askou, then replaced him - almost seamlessly - with Alfred Johansson after a season of success.
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