It is a journey that Michael Carrick won't forget.
The Geordie had been driving up to the North East back in January when he was offered the Manchester United job until the end of the season.
Yet Carrick was not about to hog the limelight as he attended a family event alongside, among others, close friend Chris Hood.
"It doesn't shock me, but nothing was mentioned," Hood said.
"Not one of us knew even though it was bandied around and there were plenty of people around him who were thinking: 'Will it be him?