Maybe it was expected at the end of the season, but five days before a huge cup final?
Manchester City pulled the trigger this week on women's head coach Gareth Taylor after a lengthy spell that included FA Cups, League Cups and title races that went down to the wire.
But a lack of a Women's Super League title and a slump in form that put Champions League qualification at risk prompted City to make the shock decision to part ways with Taylor. His replacement is the man he replaced - Nick Cushing - who has a clear brief: qualify for Europe.
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Cushing doesn't intend to take the permanent job past the summer, and remained coy on the topic in his first press conference on Friday.
“It is definitely until the end of the season,” he said, citing his relationship with the City Football Group as motivation rather than a desire for a permanent return to the women's game.
“When I was in the boys academy, I was working as an under 12 and under 13 assistant coach, and I never thought I would coach in the women’s game. Then when I was winning trophies in the women’s game, I didn’t even know any teams in MLS and I landed in MLS. So one piece of advice I give coaches all the time is you never know what’s around the corner.
“The door is open to any opportunity? Always.”
Cushing confirmed that conversations with the CFG have been going on since his departure from sister-club New York City in November, but was only approached about a return to City this week when Taylor left.
That decision surprised those inside and outside of City. Programmes for Saturday's League Cup final with Taylor's pre-match notes were ready for print on Monday when news filtered through, with Tuesday's media day perhaps a factor in the timing of the decision - better not to have Taylor conduct interviews and pose for photos when the decision was taken to part ways.
Instead, Cushing appeared on his first day for those League Cup final headshots while captain Alex Greenwood faced questions about Taylor's departure. City had informed Greenwood personally before telling the rest of the squad. Cushing then held his first team meeting on Tuesday.
Greenwood spoke of the squad putting emotion to one side and focussing on the final in front of them. Vivianne Miedema said the best way to 'put this week behind us' is to win the final against Chelsea. Both senior players spoke positively of Taylor, with Greenwood acknowledging players who may have been unhappy with the former coach by saying that is natural when players are not selected.
Chloe Kelly was a high-profile case and former goalkeeper Ellie Roebuck posted a cryptic Instagram post on Monday night that was taken to be a reference to Taylor. Greenwood added that she would reach out to Taylor but would wait to give him time to process the emotional sacking. She said the squad had to put their trust in the club over the gamble to swap managers when they have.
A couple of days later, and Taylor broke his silence on social media. A statement thanked City and wished them well for the rest of their season. He called his 16-year coaching association with the club an 'absolute honour' and added: "It's only natural to feel disappointed having parted ways with the club, but I'm genuinely excited to see what the future holds."
He was denied the chance to add another trophy to his collection, but ultimately his league struggles cost him that chance. City's preparations for Saturday's final couldn't have been more disrupted - and they will hope the risk reaps reward at the end of the season.
Winning a trophy in Cushing's first game will go some way to deflecting attention from a seismic change that has sent shockwaves inside City and across the women's game.
