The fight for Premiership survival took a serious twist on Wednesday as Dundee abruptly sacked manager James McPake.
The Dark Blues are just one point off the bottom of the table but had won their last two matches to trigger hope of an upturn in fortunes.
But the Dens Park club have announced McPake's dismissal with immediate effect, bringing to an end a near eight-year association with the club, spanning roles as player, academy coach, caretaker boss and eventually permanent manager.
McPake lifted the club out of the Championship last term but their statement on his departure stressed they felt a manager of greater experience would be required if they are to beat the drop.
That would seemingly rule out a left-field appointment and brings some familiar names into the frame.
Here are seven potential candidates they could consider.
Jack Ross
The out-of-work former Hibs manager is bound to figure in Dundee's thinking given his availability and track record.
He's taken on big jobs at Sunderland and Easter Road but it's in underdog stories he made his name in management.
Ross was a hit at Alloa Athletic before dragging St Mirren from the brink of relegation to League One all the way to the top-flight as Championship winners the following season.
He's also been considered by Aberdeen - albeit is behind Jim Goodwin in that pecking order - and you'd think he won't be out of work too much longer.
Derek Adams
Some fans have already noted that Dundee have taken the decision to bullet McPake just as Adams has become available.
A coincidence, or a sign something is already in the works? Adams was sacked by Bradford City at the weekend after just eight months and 37 games in charge.
He has previously managed in Scotland with Ross County and has that experience that Dens Park bosses have identified as being key to their next appointment.
The 46-year-old has spent several years managing in England but his greatest successes have come north of the border - guiding the Staggies to the Second Division and First Division titles, as well as winning the Challenge Cup and reaching a Scottish Cup Final over two spells.
Having suffered a disappointing spell with the Bantams, the chance to come back to Scotland for a fresh start may just be appealing enough.
Gordon Strachan
Strachan is currently operating as Dundee's technical director, with a particular focus on helping develop the club's academy.
A step back into management would bring an immediate halt to that work but the 65-year-old is the oven-ready, in-house option if Dundee so choose.
An interim appointment until the end of the season would perhaps be the more likely scenario if Strachan is willing to step away from his current role.
Paul Hartley
A back to the future option and one that is probably unlikely to convince too many Dundee fans.
Hartley, of course, has managed the club before and enjoyed a successful stint before a horror run brought an end to his tenure in 2017.
The former Hearts and Celtic midfielder guided the Dark Blues to the Championship title in 2014, his first season in charge, and went on to secure a top six finish on their return to the top-flight.
He then endured a poor spell at Falkirk and now manages Cove Rangers, where's taken the club from League Two to the summit of League One.
Would Dundee be tempted to take a punt on him again?
Neil Lennon
The former Celtic and Hibs manager is actively looking for work and was linked with the vacant post at Sunderland before they plumped for Alex Neil.
Lennon has been a free agent since a disastrous final year at Parkhead and on recent comments is clearly keen to try and put that behind him with a new post.
The Irishman has experience of the relegation mire via a chastening spell at crisis-hit Bolton back in 2014 and could be the type of figure Dundee need to inspire an escape.
That final campaign at Celtic was a damaging one but Lennon's record until then speaks for itself.
Paul Lambert
Another Scottish manager out of work, Lambert was reportedly interested in taking on the vacant post at Aberdeen.
St Mirren manager Goodwin is in the driving seat which is set to leave the Celtic legend looking elsewhere.
Could that elsewhere be at Dens Park?
Lambert worked wonders at Norwich City, taking them from League One to the Premier League and then had three season at Aston Villa. He then helped Blackburn Rovers stave off relegation but since then it's been unsuccessful spells with Wolves, Stoke City and Ipswich Town.
A return and fresh start in Scotland could be what he needs as a coach.
Dick Campbell
He couldn't, could he?
If Dundee want a manager whose stock is as high as it's ever been, then look no further than Dick Campbell.
The Arbroath manager and his players are on course to pull off a quite incredible feat in reaching the Premiership as a part-time team and plenty will feel he's overdue a shot at the top-flight.
It's a long shot, of course, and a gamble given Campbell's only top-flight experience coming as an assistant at Dunfermline.
But what a story it would be.
