COMMENT: James Rodriguez must be thinking what's he done wrong. First the Colombia snub and now Carlo Ancelotti's gone? It hasn't been the best seven days of James' career...
And inside Finch Farm, he's not alone. Everton's players have been left stunned, shocked by Ancelotti's decision to quit on them and move to Real Madrid for a second time. The speed at which things all played out leaving the squad - to a man - floored.
It's a blow for Everton. A heavy blow. The most optimistic can point to two underwhelming Premier League campaigns under the Italian. That they won't miss him. But this was a squad - and a team - in transition. Ancelotti had the full support of majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri. Patience was being shown. A long-term project had been drawn up. It had been committed to - and by both sides.
Ancelotti had spoken about multiple transfer windows being needed to get the squad to where he felt comfortable, "It will be important, the next transfer window and also the transfer window the following year".
Indeed, in the final week of the season, he spoke openly about the need to find a goalscoring winger, or two, in order for the system he employs to fulfil it's potential: "It's one of the positions we are looking for, yes it's true."
In partnership with Marcel Brands, the club's football director, players had already been identified and offers were being readied, "We have to follow a plan, we signed good players last season and we have to do the same this season". But now all that's been forced to the backburner.
Ancelotti and James together
It's brutal for Everton. Particularly for Moshiri. Having seen Ancelotti's profile and charisma convince James to swap Real Madrid for Everton; for Allan to do the same when leaving Napoli; you can just imagine the names he and Ancelotti had discussed when planning for this summer's campaign.
But that's not to say this transfer policy suddenly grounds to halt with Ancelotti now gone. Andre Gomes and Lucas Digne were attracted from Barcelona pre-Carletto. As Moise Kean was from Juventus. Everton, with Moshiri's backing, will still be able to attract major talent from across the continent. Though it'll be made easier by the profile and experience of the next man in the Everton dugout.
Which is why Brands and Moshiri need to stick to the road they're now on.
Sean Dyche at Burnley has been mentioned as a candidate for the job. As has West Ham manager David Moyes and his possible return. Even Rangers' former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard has been linked.
But as much as this column has been supportive of British managers and coaching, after the impact of Ancelotti and the need for continuity, Everton must look at what fits best with their dressing room and the plans in place.
It's no surprise that within hours of confirmation of Ancelotti's departure that Jorge Mendes was letting it be known Nuno had been contacted by Everton. Whether the call went into the former Wolves manager directly, or was made to his agent, matters little, the approach to the Portuguese makes sense.
Clearly, Nuno wants to remain in England. His first round of talks since the sudden announcement of his split from Wolves were held last week with Crystal Palace. Having been linked with AS Monaco and Lyon in France during the season - and with a return to Valencia before Jose Bordalas' appointment - Palace isn't exactly at that level. But Nuno's willingness to hear from them suggests his priority is to remain in the country.
The former Porto goalkeeper isn't Ancelotti. He doesn't have that winning record. But after ten years in management, he does have experience - in Portugal, Spain and with Wolves. And significantly, his time at Molineux spanned four years. He's not one to skip out of a project mid-term, no matter the offers that come his way. In contrast, apart from his time with AC Milan, Ancelotti has never lasted more than two seasons in the nine management jobs he's held over 26 years. Can we really be surprised by this week's events...?
Perhaps not. But that's what makes Ancelotti's departure all the more of a heart-breaker. Everton appeared to be the exception. He had found a home at Goodison. He and his family enjoyed Liverpool. He and his son Davide, an assistant coach, had bought into the club, it's culture and it's history.
But now they're gone and have left Moshiri and Brands to pick up the pieces. It's a blow. A heavy blow. But there's no reason why the project itself needs to be ripped up.
Nuno likes a centre-forward - just ask Raul Jimenez. He enjoys working with young players - like Pedro Neto and Adama Traore. And can get more than a tune out of an experienced star - Joao Moutinho for one. Like with Wolves, they're all elements in his approach which can also be found at Everton.
Allan and James needn't panic just yet. If a deal can be done, Nuno has the track record to offer them some confidence. Along with the rest of Everton, these past few days could still have a silver lining for James Rodriguez.
