As Jose Mourinho went in search of the rats scrambling round his sinking ship at Chelsea, Eden Hazard was nominally reckoned to be one of those who had fallen foul of the Portuguese manager.
Demonstrating all that he could do in Chelsea's 2014/15 title-winning season, the Belgian's performances took a notable dip - not that he was alone in this - as Mourinho's second spell in charge came to its acrimonious conclusion.
Revitalised under the latest in a long line of Chelsea manager, Maurizio Sarri has seemingly enabled Hazard to recreate some form of old.
With talks of a high-profile move to Real Madrid destined to follow Eden Hazard in the months to come, the World Cup semi-finalist has been speaking to the Belgian news outlet, HLN Sport.
Although plenty of the conversation concerns Hazard's recent performances, he couldn't but dwell on a relationship that most would have assumed had soured beyond all hope.
Yet, offer Hazard the chance to work with Jose Mourinho again and he would jump at the opportunity.
"The last season under Mourinho was not enjoyable. We didn’t win, we got into a sort of routine, training without having fun, it was better for all parties that we parted ways.
"But if I’m asked now about one coach with whom I want to work again, I would say Mourinho."
Speaking warmly of the Portuguese, Hazard must be experiencing some sense of déjà vu when news of Mourinho's latest escapade at Manchester United breaks into the public domain.
"If the results are poor, Jose starts criticising his players. You know that, but afterwards I've been able to accept that, it's part of his character.
"If you win, Mourinho is the best coach you can imagine. Then he is a friend of yours - you ask whatever you want."
A fairly turbulent time spent working with Antonio Conte at Chelsea did deliver another Premier League title for Hazard & co. Yet, it is his time spent working with Jose Mourinho that seems to have had the lasting impact.
"I don’t regret many things in my career, but that I have not been able to work with Mourinho at Chelsea anymore is one of them. We had a team that could win more trophies. We just ended up in a negative cycle.”
According to Hazard, two years ago he sent the Manchester United manager a message apologising for the nature of Mourinho's Chelsea-exit.
Admitting that he himself should have performed better during that annus horribilis for the club, we await Mourinho's reply with bated breath.
