So Brendan Rodgers, after three topsy-turvy years, departs Anfield with mixed memories, having come the closest among any Liverpool manager in recent memory to capturing the English Premier League title since their last title win in the former First Division in the 1989/90 season.
His team came so close in the 2013/14 season - powered by a certain Luis Suarez.
It was followed by an extended spell marked by mediocre form, general ineptness in the transfer market and fans' disenchantment over the lack of a clear footballing philosophy.
All that meant he had to go - and the axe duly fell on the Northern Irishman after a tame 1-1 draw in the Merseyside derby on Sunday (Oct 4).
Here's a brief look at the five strongest contenders to take over, and don't forget to take our poll at the end of it.
1. Juergen Klopp
Everyone's favourite "hipster" manager is the clear frontrunner to take over the reins from Rodgers. Klopp's achievements with German club Borussia Dortmund - where he twice lifted the Bundesliga title in the 2010/11 and 2011/12 seasons while getting them to play a brand of attractive football - are well known.
The stars appear to be perfectly aligned, too. After quitting Dortmund in June to go on a sabbatical, the 48-year-old should be refreshed, re-energised and ready to revitalise the Kop.
2. Carlo Ancelotti
He is another favourite among fans, having been out of the game for a year to repair an injured back. Word has it that the club's management has already sounded the Italian out for the job.
Ancelotti's pedigree is unquestioned, having managed Real Madrid, Chelsea and Juventus, among others. But somehow, it's hard to picture him leading his players out against the lesser lights of Denmark's FC Midtjylland and Azerbaijan's Qarabag in the Europa League.
3. Frank de Boer
A man schooled in the ways of Dutch football's fabled Total Football philosophy, he is a popular choice to breathe new life into the players. Thus far, the former Ajax Amsterdam and Barcelona lynchpin has spent his entire coaching career in his homeland, winning four consecutive league titles as the head of Ajax.
He has also been busy fluttering his eyelids and making all the right noises in the direction of Anfield, calling Liverpool - and tragically, Newcastle United - "fantastic environments to coach in".
4. Jamie Carragher
He's no Steven Gerrard, but Liverpool's second-longest serving player and former vice-captain might just represent an outside bet for the post. He could also teach the current porous defence a thing or two about keeping things tight at the back.
The caveat? A total lack of managerial experience - he only retired in 2013 - and the fact that he has been using his airtime as a Sky Sports pundit bashing his one and only club for becoming the next Tottenham Hotspur.
5. Garry Monk
They couldn't, could they? Having prised Rodgers from Swansea in June 2012, poaching Monk - rated as one of the best up-and-coming young managers in the game like his predecessor - would be another bitter pill for the Swans to swallow.
The Englishman's workaholic approach and meticulous team preparations, however, could be just the tonic for the flagging Reds.
