A draw with the mighty Manchester City wasn't enough to keep Becky Langley in a job at Newcastle United as the women's team made a surprise announcement just 24 hours later.
We've reached the first international break of the season, following an exciting cup weekend which saw two of our teams go toe-to-toe with WSL sides. Newcastle got a 3-3 draw with giants City before the shock news emerged from the club the very next day.
Last week, I gave my opinion on Newcastle's start of their promotion campaign, considering the investment and development that has occurred since the end of last season. New facilities, new ground and changes to half the team had occurred. They had only lost two league games against the top two sides, the players were gelling and things were coming together and signs were good as they chase a top three finish.
On Monday, the club announced that they and their Head Coach since 2019, had parted ways. The news that Langley was leaving was met with a great deal of surprise from supporters.
Many disagreed with the news, praising and crediting Langley for their success and questioning whether this was another decision from those not in touch with the Women's side, to go with the move away from Kingston Park and the clear out of many crowd favourites in the summer. Both decisions brought complaints at the feet of those in charge.
Others, however, questioned the timing but thought that it was inevitable, due to the ambition and money that was being put in or that the manager had taken the team as far as she could. The position in the table is not ideal and with only one win so far this season, perhaps the writing was on the wall.
Whatever the reasoning behind the decision, Becky Langley is a legend at Newcastle United. Leading the team from a part-time operation to becoming a professional side, she steered them through two back-to-back promotions while developing local talent.
Personally, I remembering covering the side a couple of years before Becky's arrival. She has helped and guided the team and the growth on and off the pitch, always with a cheerful manner and great success. Last season they were still in the title race until the last few matches - I believe they would have done so again under her management.
The announcement came to a surprise to everyone, so you have to wonder how it came about; the though is that it wasn't planned at all - no permanent replacement has yet to be announced.
This week brought the news that Langley's assistant, Claire Ditchburn, would 'lead the team on an interim basis'. Ditchburn, who was once in charge at Durham following spells as No 2 at Everton and Under-21 Coach at Manchester City, will have a recognisable face alongside her.
Former Newcastle United defender Peter Ramage played 51 games for the men's team in the Premier League and has been working behind the scenes at the club. Ramage will assist Ditchburn together with Stevie Brass and Luke Thomas-Arayo already on the staff.
They will prepare the team for the visit to Ipswich Town on November 2 after the Internationals, before the first local derbies of the season come thick and fast afterwards. There's a good chance a new appointment will have been made by then, but whoever gets the job they will owe a great deal to the work done by Becky Langley.