Kevin Nolan waited over six years to step back into management.
Having been harshly sacked by Leyton Orient and Notts County in his first two experiences in the dugout, Northampton Town enticed Nolan to make his long-awaited return in December.
The Cobblers were at a low ebb. Injury-ravaged to astonishing levels and on a torrid run of form with long-serving boss Jon Brady having resigned, they were in danger of a third relegation to League Two in eight years.
But, over the following five months, Nolan - who had spent four-and-a-half years coaching under David Moyes at West Ham during his time out of the managerial spotlight - stabilised a team that had one win in their previous 10 games and secured Northampton’s League One status with two matches to spare.