The football world was left deeply concerned after discovering the news that John Toshack was left on a ventilator for two weeks during his battle with Covid and pneumonia.
But little more than a year on from that major scare, the Welsh football legend has made a recovery and continues to enjoy the Spanish sunshine having been afforded the precious chance to spend time with his loved ones.
It was undoubtedly a harrowing experience for those close to the ex-Wales player and manager, as his son Cameron Toshack explains.
"It's been tough for everybody," he told WalesOnline. "We've seen him a couple of times, he's come back to Wales in the last few months so I've managed to see him and reminisce about old times.
"His health is a lot better, whilst also understanding he went through a really traumatic time during Covid. But, thankfully, he's well."
Toshack Jr was embarking on an entirely different battle of his own in the early stages of 2022 as he was appointed as assistant manager to Jesse Marsch at Leeds United.
The Whites were just two points clear of the Premier League's relegation zone following the sacking of Marcelo Bielsa, who left having collected just one of the 18 points on offer from his final six games, with Leeds conceding a staggering 17 times in the four last fixtures of the Argentinian's reign.
It was a somewhat daunting prospect, it seemed. Although that did not faze Toshack - who had guided Pafos to safety in his first role as a senior head coach while also claiming the highest ever win percentage in the Cypriot club's history.
"The challenge we had when we went in, we had a group of people that were on a real low, there were a lot of injuries," explained Toshack.
"We had to be super positive and get everyone to be the best version of themselves for 12 games.
"We went into a really challenging situation, they were in real trouble. A little bit like the Cyprus example, I went in there when they were struggling. That's something a lot of people would say 'let's just wait until the end of the season and see'.
"I actually quite enjoy going into things and helping improve things. Is it risky? Yes, of course it is. But Jesse and I spoke about it, it was something that he was really all in to try to do and turn around, with the goal of keeping Leeds United in the Premier League, which we managed to do on the last day of the season."
Indeed, a dramatic 2-1 win at Brentford combined with Burnley's defeat to Newcastle United ensured Leeds survived on the final day of the 2021/22 season - which was only their second back in the big time since being relegated from the top flight in 2004.
Thereafter, Leeds set about transforming their squad in an attempt to avoid another relegation tussle, with several high-profile signings being made in the summer. And it led to an encouraging start to the current campaign, although, even after memorable triumphs over Chelsea and Liverpool, Marsch - along with Toshack - were given their marching orders after a testing run left the club in peril once again.
"We brought in new blood with the likes of Tyler Adams, Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, international players who are familiar with the style of football," added Toshack.
"We started off really well in the Premier League, when you beat the likes of Chelsea and you go to Anfield and win, you're doing something right.
"Where I think we were a little bit unfortunate sometimes, you look at the metrics in football, and I get that there's only one metric that counts in the end, that's winning games, but the processes that sit behind it, expected goals for example, the last game we played against Nottingham Forest, we were expected to score four more than they did, and yet they won 1-0.
"That can be the harsh reality of football, certainly in the Premier League. The margins are so tight. When you're on top you have to get reward for your work.
"Arsenal at home, expected goals for us, 2.5, expected goals for them, one. We miss a penalty, they score a goal and win 1-0. Those are the margins."
While the project ultimately lasted just shy of a year, Toshack has no regrets from his time at Elland Road and admits the magnitude and intensity of the club's famed fanbase was nothing short of mind-blowing.
"I was extremely fortunate to be offered the opportunity to go and work alongside Jesse Marsch in the Premier League, which is the biggest and best league in the world," he explained.
"I have to say, a great club, a massive football club with super supporters. Six-and-a-half thousand at Cardiff recently for an away game, that's incredible.
"The people at the club, everybody's aligned. It's the club of Yorkshire, if you like. It's a one-club city, but even in the surrounding areas, it's all Leeds.
"From an experience point of view and the people I worked with there, it was fantastic.
"To be involved there and to set up game plans with elite international players at the highest level, not many coaches have the opportunity to do that. I personally feel that, now, compared to 12 months ago, I'm a far better coach and a lot more rounded in the manner in which I would set teams up."
The Leeds chapter may well be closed for Toshack and Marsch, although the pair still harbour hopes of working together again in the future.
"I met Jesse about seven years ago at New York Red Bulls and we've been in touch ever since," explained Toshack.
"I always wanted to know, having spent seven years working at Swansea City alongside the likes of Michael Laudrup and having watched the likes of Brendan Rodgers and Roberto Martinez, the possession side of it and attacking, creating chances, the Swansea Way if you like. I was always interested in that transition moment.
"Clearly, everyone who knows about football, the Red Bull model is very much that. High intensity. At Leeds, our figures showed we were the most intense team in the Premier League, which is something we were proud of.
"So I wanted to go and work in an environment, ideally, with a team that gets the ball, are intense, and having linked up with Jesse, latterly at RB Leipzig, I had an opportunity to go and work with him in the Bundesliga, but that fell through. But when the opportunity came up to go to Leeds, who were in a bit of trouble at the time, it was a no-brainer for me to go and work in that environment."
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Having left Leeds, Marsch held lengthy talks with Southampton to be named as Nathan Jones' successor in February following the Welshman's ill-fated 14-game stint as Saints boss, and Toshack had been lined up to team up with the American at St Mary's Stadium.
But the move collapsed at the 11th hour, leaving the pair having to return back to the drawing board. Nevertheless, the phone has continued to ring.
"Jesse and I have spoken about the potential of working together again, I would welcome that if it came along," he said.
"But, that said, Jesse knows my goal is to be a head coach. When an opportunity comes up in the Premier League to be an assistant manager, you take it. It was great for me when it came up, to go in and add value, purpose and improve things, which I think we did, even though they're in a place where they're fighting now.
"So I could be working with Jesse moving forward, but I'm certainly looking at other opportunities to be a head coach on my own, and Jesse was very supportive throughout that process. He always said 'if something comes up for you to be a head coach, I'll be fully supportive', as he did with Mark Jackson whose gone to MK Dons and done well.
"It's encouraging to know that people now see you on the radar a bit more having been in the Premier League. I had a recent discussion with a club in Asia who were playing in the AFC Champions League, which didn't pull through in the end, but maybe things will come from that.
"I'm very open, whether it's at home or abroad. Having been around my father who has been to a lot of places around the world, I've seen the benefit of doing that."
Now back in south Wales following his time in Yorkshire, Toshack has been able to watch his beloved Swansea City in action far more closely having left the club little more than four years ago.
Toshack continues to take immense pride in watching the likes of Liam Cullen and Ollie Cooper thrive in the first team having worked with several current senior players during his time as under-23s manager, with others such as Joe Rodon, Connor Roberts, Oli McBurnie and Daniel James enjoying success elsewhere.
And while the Swans' play-off push this season ultimately collapsed following a wretched run of results, Toshack remains hopeful that they can end the campaign strongly having returned to winning ways with a well deserved 2-0 triumph over Bristol City last time out.
"Having been a season ticket holder and worked at the club for seven years, it's always a club you look for their results," he said. "They're going through a little bit of a struggle at the moment, but if the last game is anything to go by, you hope they can pull out of that and end strongly in the last eight games.
"It was a shame because, they showed they had a moment there, winning seven games out of nine, the expectation goes up, which can also add pressure. People perform differently when you're an underdog as opposed to being under pressure with expectation, perhaps that's had some kind of bearing on things.
"But I think the club is clear on a lot of things. I also feel that the young boys are being given a chance now. It's great to see the likes of Liam Cullen and Ollie Cooper, who are in the Welsh squad now, it gives me huge satisfaction having worked with them.
"There are five or six still there who I worked with in the under-23s group and they've been really good servants to Swansea City, so the hope would be that in the last eight games they can really kick on.
"I watched Oli (McBurnie) play for Sheffield United against Reading recently, I shared a nice message with him and obviously Dan (James) who I worked with at Leeds as well, it's nice to see him still in the Premier League.
"Joe's (Rodon) over in France and Connor's (Roberts) doing so well at Burnley so it's great for those guys who have really put a mark on the landscape and are doing so well."
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