It's a straightforward task on paper and yet, countless times, football clubs struggle to get it right. Not many players turn out 545 times for one club, so after all that time there is only one thing you ever want to happen: make sure it ends on the right note. Instead, David De Gea's exit from Manchester United will be remembered as a bit of a sorry mess.
And the Spaniard, regardless of his errors between the sticks over the last two years, deserved better than that. He will, forever, be in the conversation around United's greatest-ever goalkeepers. Throughout turbulent Old Trafford times, as an enormous football club punched below its weight too often, De Gea was always there - producing his fair share of magical moments.
For all those years of excellent service, though, the consensus had been that this summer was the the right time to part ways. Erik ten Hag is seeking to employ a brand of football that does not suit De Gea - and another year could've risked tarnishing the good times more than anyone would've wanted.
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A swift decision at the end of the season, while De Gea still had time to truly say goodbye in person, would've closed the chapter in the ideal way. Instead, the shot-stopper was left in limbo while speculation around his successor went into overdrive online. De Gea must've imagined the day he would walk away so many times, but never like this. Supporters have called for United to be more ruthless with these kind of decisions; to do away with sentiment.
And that is a perfectly reasonable shout, but if you are going to do it then do it properly. So often, you hear former players on football podcasts - and there are more than enough of them out there - say how they only ever wanted honesty; to truly know where they stood with their club.
You cannot undo these things. They are moments in time. When fans have been there every step of the way with a player like De Gea, the goodbye means a hell of a lot. United did not own their decision to let De Gea go; a piece of business which deserved as much thought, care and conviction as any incoming this summer.
Earlier this year, when asked about his contract situation and future, the player said: "Yeah, I'm very relaxed. Just focus on training, perform as best as I can. But, for sure, it's going to end in a good way."
What's done is done and United must live with the fact they made the right call in the wrong way. And while De Gea's time was up on the pitch, his presence off it will clearly be deeply missed. That is the one thing supporters, journalists and pundits do not see: the training ground, the dressing room, the canteen. There may be better goalkeepers out there for United and Ten Hag now, but their departing one evidently leaves massive shoes to fill behind the scenes and away from those 90 minutes.
"You know what I think about you and how much I will miss you bro," wrote Bruno Fernandes online. "You deserved to say goodbye at the stadium, with all the fans cheering you for all the beautiful memories. You made history at the club and your name will never be forgotten, and that no one can’t take away from you. All the best for what’s coming for you and your family."
Marcus Rashford weighed in with: "You were here from my breakthrough, good luck with your next step brother."
Fred commented: "What a great pleasure to play and work with you, legend. One of the great friends I’ve made in football. You have all my respect and admiration and I wish you the best on your next challenges!
Fellow Brazilian, Casemiro wrote: "David, my mate! You made history with Manchester United. You will always be a Red Devil, and these fans will continue to support you wherever your next challenge leads you. You will always be one of us. My best wishes!"
Diogo Dalot, Juan Mata, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony, Harry Maguire, Marcel Sabitzer, Facundo Pellistri and many more all used the same word in their messages to describe De Gea: Legend. The Spaniard had his doubters at Old Trafford, but how highly he's thought of by his ex-United teammate shows they're well aware of what the club has just lost.
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