If there was a trophy for 'going back to square one', Everton would win it every single year.
Real Madrid and La Decima? Pah.
Nine titles in a row at Bayern Munich? Small beer to the Blues.
It may only be January, but it's already time to prepare for a parade.
The cup is coming back to Goodison again after Rafa Benitez's sacking and the series of significant decisions that preceded it.
One win in 13 league games is an utterly abject return.
Discontent among fans would be natural in those circumstances for any side, anywhere.
From that perspective, showing Benitez the door was a no brainer.
Rafa can point to a measure of mitigation on the injury front.
Losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin for so long, so soon was a huge blow. Especially given Benitez spoke of his initial strategy and signings being based around service for the No.9.
Yet as his hand slowly grew stronger his tactics became increasingly questionable.
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Solidity had always been the founding principle of Benitez's management.
Sadly, ever since the calamitous 5-2 defeat to Watford, it was in short supply.
34 goals conceded in 19 top flight games is painful proof of that.
Five-at-the-back against Brighton at home surrendered the initiative and also the three points.
Norwich was the final straw, as frailty in defence combined with bluntness in attack and resulted in defeat to a team destined for the drop.
Fears that Everton could slip to a similar fate prompted owner Farhad Moshiri to act.
But there lies the wider problem.
Moshiri is, quite clearly, a man of action. Arguably far too much of it.
In the weeks prior to Benitez's exit came the departure of director of medical services Danny Donachie, termination of sporting director Marcel Brands' contract, exits for key members of the recruitment team - and of course the transfer of Lucas Digne to Aston Villa.
Each call was debatable but taken together, it all pointed to the empowerment of Benitez.
To give Moshiri credit, that would at least indicate some semblance of strategy at play.
As did backing Benitez in the transfer market with deals for Vitalii Mykolenko and Nathan Patterson.
But to part ways with the boss shortly after such a series of shake-ups and signings hints at a lack of conviction or the absence of a consistent, long-term plan.
Possibly even both.
An interim appointment is rumoured to be among options being considered to steer the Everton ship back to normality.
That would be sensible, especially with a 'strategic review' of football operations taking place in the background.
And that process - even more than the eventual decision of Benitez's replacement - is now key to unlocking a successful next phase under Moshiri.
Graham Potter has been linked with the vacancy at Goodison.
And comments from the Brighton manager in his press conference on Monday spoke volumes.
Potter said: "The first thing is it's not nice when somebody loses their job. I only met Rafa when we played Everton so I don't know him that well, but he came across as a real gentleman. I wish him well. I can't comment on speculation. I'm focused on my job here.
"I am very happy here, at one of the best run clubs in the Premier League, with a fantastic owner, chairman, CEO, sports director, great people at the club.
“A nice environment to work in. An ambitious club. So I just get on with my job here and do my best.
“The reality is I’m at a really good football club that helped me. I’m not here because I’m that good, it’s because I’m at a good club and I have good support, I have good people around me.
“I have people that allow me to do my job, that give me support, give me trust and these things are important, there’s an organisation around the club."
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Everton must quickly get themselves into a position where they can offer prospective bosses a structure which equals, or ideally surpasses, that of Brighton.
There is no doubting the Blues are a bigger club.
But honest conversations and some painful medicine may be needed before they can once again act like it.
The decision to sack Benitez highlights the strange territory Everton currently occupy.
It was at once rational and rash.
It resolved an immediate issue but also served to expose deep-seated flaws.
Six managers in six years only reinforces that argument.
Supporters are calling for greater communication from Moshiri going forward, and there is ample justification for more clarity and engagement.
Especially in tough times.
But the vital change is delegation.
If that can be allied to the abundance of ambition Moshiri has already demonstrated, it could be a potent combination.
Everton have made huge strides off the pitch with their new stadium development.
Now the club must match that admirable progress in its backroom structure.
Experienced operators free to do their jobs in support of a young, hungry manager should be the aim.
Get that right, and the first team that runs out at Bramley-Moore Dock may be doing so in front of fans who once again truly believe in what Everton can become and the heights the club can reach.
