Séamus Coleman was flung in at the deep end on Thursday, with the Irishman taking co-charge of Everton on just a few hours' notice for their FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough.
Everton sacked Sean Dyche just hours before getting their cup campaign underway, with captain Coleman and U18s head coach Leighton Baines sharing managerial duties on an interim basis until Dyche's permanent successor is found.
It was Coleman's first venture into management and, though Everton made hard work of it, he and Baines oversaw a much-needed win in front of the Goodison Park faithful.
Beto's goal late in the first half had them in front and, though the visitors threatened on occasion, an injury-time penalty from Iliman Ndiaye saw out the game and sent Everton through to the fourth round.
Time will tell if this will be Coleman and Baines' only game in the Goodison Park dugout. Ireland captain Coleman did make one major call in the team selection, with Everton deploying a back three and forgotten man Jake O'Brien instantly thrown into the starting lineup.
Post-match, Coleman sang the praises of his Ireland teammate.
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Séamus Coleman heaps praise on Jake O'Brien
Having spent much of the season warming the bench after his summer move from Lyon, Jake O'Brien would have been forgiven for wondering what he had to do to earn a shot in the Everton starting lineup.
One would hazard a guess he wouldn't ever have thought of 'Séamus Coleman - Everton manager' as a possibility, but that was how things transpired on Thursday.
O'Brien put in an impressive performance at the back for Everton, and his Ireland teammate Coleman praised him in his post-match interview with Everton TV.
It took us 5-10 minutes to get into it and our centre-halves to go in tight with their forward players. As the game grew, I thought the back three really helped.
I thought Jake coming in - not cause he's Irish! - but coming in out of the cold but putting in a performance like that, I thought it was brilliant. It was easy for him.
All credit to everyone. The most pleasing thing for me and Leighton was that the effort was there. Of course, it could have been better, but they're always tricky ties. They were good in possession as well.
O'Brien will hope that whoever does take over on a permanent basis will agree with Coleman, with the Corkonian impressing on his first stint in the starting XI for some time.
It is unlikely that Coleman and Baines will be in the dugout for too much longer, with David Moyes heavily linked with a sensational return to the job he departed 12 years ago.
Coleman explained to Everton TV the extreme late notice with which he and Baines had been approached to take charge of the team. In classic Coleman fashion, the veteran right-back said he would always do anything the club required to keep it moving forward.
It was very late for us both. Listen, we're both Evertonians...I think I was supposed to be on the bench tonight and it changed quickly!
I always say, whatever Everton need from me, I'm going to be there. Tonight, they needed me to stand beside Leighton and help him. I was more than happy to do so, and I think it was good for the lads as well.
Listen, it's a bit surreal. I was training yesterday and now I'm standing on the sideline with Bainesy. Credit to Leighton, he'd a short period of time, and he's obviously more used to this side of things than me. How he planned, how he prepared...I was there to support him as best I could. I really enjoyed it.
Thursday night may have been a strange day for Everton fans, but it was yet another example of what a special servant Séamus Coleman has been and continues to be for the Toffees.
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