July 2016, Alan Pardew takes his seat in front of the media at Crystal Palace's Beckenham training ground and is immediately asked about reports linking him with the vacant England manager's job.
It's flattering, Pardew explains, but my loyalties lie in south London. Four years on, it seems barely conceivable that he would be linked with such a high-profile role.
This week saw him reach an agreement to leave lowly ADO Den Haag, having spent four months in a Dutch relegation battle. Before that, there was a failed spell in the Championship with West Brom after his time at Palace had come to a miserable end.