Middlesbrough head coach Aitor Karanka looked to be heading for the exit door on a permanent basis when he walked out of the club's training headquarters last week.
However, after being relieved of his duties in the run-up to Sunday's 2-0 Sky Bet Championship defeat at Charlton, Karanka was back in place on Monday evening following clear-the-air talks.
Here is a closer look at a turbulent weekend on Teesside and the possible implications for the future.
What went so spectacularly wrong?
Only those in the room at the time will know for sure, but it is understood that Karanka, alarmed at the club's slump in form, laid his cards on the table in a meeting with his players on Friday, and some of them were far from impressed.
It was not the first time the Spaniard had found himself at odds with his staff or players - as former assistant Craig Hignett and midfielder Albert Adomah could attest - but his impromptu departure having apparently signalled his intention not to return, seemed to have taken him to the brink.
Did he regret his actions?
It appears he did. It is understood Karanka reported for training on Saturday morning ready to smooth things over after sleeping on the situation. However, he did not get the opportunity with the decision having been taken to place number two Steve Agnew in temporary charge for the trip to The Valley as chairman Steve Gibson prepared to launch a lengthy diplomatic mission.
Can Karanka get the players back on side?
That remains to be seen. Jose Mourinho's former assistant at Real Madrid is combustible, but also has the capacity to forgive and forget, as he did with Adomah, who is once again a key member of his team. However, he went a long way towards completely burning his bridges with some members of his squad and whether or not the damage is irreparable, only time will tell.
Is he still the best man for the job?
Karanka has come closer than any of his predecessors to ending the club's seven-year exile from the Barclays Premier League, losing out to Norwich in last season's play-off final.
He has since been allowed to strengthen his squad significantly with the additions of former England winger Stewart Downing and £9m Blackburn striker Jordan Rhodes - Karanka is understood to have favoured a move for Fulham's Ross McCormack - the most notable, but a run of just three wins in 11 games has raised question marks over his ability to get them over the line this time around.
