Another day, another sense of frustration and let down for Cardiff City fans.
The Bluebirds sacked Omer Riza on April 19, and just a week later, their relegation to League One was confirmed following a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion in the capital.
Fast forward to almost mid-June, with those who were previously managerial contenders, such as Charlton's Nathan Jones and Aaron Ramsey rapidly falling out of the frame, and anger is growing.
Favourites for the job have emerged, fallen away in the reckoning to be replaced by others, only to then re-emerge later down what has proved to be a long and winding road.
Cardiff City Supporters' Trust (CCST) were heavily critical of owner Vincent Tan in their latest statement, issued on June 10, amidst the club's ongoing hunt for a new boss.
"Time is moving on, critical pre-season decisions need to be made in terms of the squad which cannot happen without a manager," read the statement.
They added: "As the ultimate power within the club does, Vincent Tan have a sense of urgency?
"The club may say that there is no reason to panic but it is fair to say that the fanbase view the situation with some concern and anger.
"This situation is intolerable and only serves to demonstrate the contempt the owner holds the fanbase in."
Blaenrhondda-born Jones was firmly admired by the Bluebirds, and the 52-year-old himself has regularly spoken of his desire to manage his beloved Cardiff at some stage in his career.
However, following the Bluebirds' relegation into the third tier, Jones guided Charlton into the Championship via the play-offs.
He went on to sign a five-year deal with the Addicks, forcing the Cardiff hierarchy and their newly-assembled sub-committee to go back to the drawing board.
Shock reports then emerged last weekend stating Ramsey was due to leave his boyhood club.
The 34-year-old's contract with Cardiff expires this summer, although the 86-cap Wales international - who is currently recovering from a hamstring injury - has previously stated his desire to extend his playing career to next year's World Cup.
It could perhaps go some way to explaining his rumoured move to Mexican side Pumas, with Ramsey sharing the same agent as the Liga MX side's manager, Efraín Juárez.
Given the concern around the perceived lack of football knowledge within the upper echelons of the football club, Ramsey's nous and experience would have proven vital both on and off the pitch as Cardiff set about building to challenge for promotion back into the second tier.
But the key decision makers at Cardiff City Stadium had long been aware of Ramsey's eagerness to recover from his latest injury setback and continue playing, either with the Bluebirds or elsewhere.
Whether or not Ramsey held talks with the club over the possibility of being made permanent manager of Cardiff following his three-game stint as caretaker boss at the end of the 2024-25 campaign remains to be seen.
But his name undoubtedly would have come up, even if only tentatively, in discussions among those making the decision.
In that regard, the frustration of the CCST, and that of every other member of the Cardif faithful, is entirely understandable.
Chairman Mehmet Dalman previously said he hoped to appoint a new permanent boss by the end of May, with that hope now appearing somewhat fanciful to say the least.
READ MORE: Aaron Ramsey Gives Cardiff City The Mexican Wave
Once again, it appears as though Cardiff have been caught out by events, as opposed to shaping them and openly communicating their intentions to those forking out significant sums to follow the team.
Time remains of the essence, and Cardiff now find themselves closer to the opening weekend of the 2025-26 League One campaign than the day they axed Riza fewer than 24 hours after a 2-0 defeat to Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Des Buckingham and Brian Barry-Murphy appear to be the leading contenders, with the club speaking to both of those men.
However, the latter, formerly of Manchester City, where Mark Allen, on Cardiff's new-look sub-committee, previously operated, now seems to be the favourite - with the Bluebirds stating on Wednesday that a new appointment would be made "in the near future".
But a summer that always needed to represent a watershed moment for the club following relegation has already got off to a messy start.
The clock is ticking for Cardiff to get things in place to ensure they are best placed to secure an immediate return to the Championship.
