As soon as Rafael Benitez was given the chop by Everton, the links began to resurface.
It's understandable, of course, that Wayne Rooney is heavily-tipped to replace Benitez in the Goodison Park dugout.
Despite him only just toasting his first year in management, some are already backing another Merseyside return for Rooney.
What about the man himself? Well, he was linked with a return as recently as last month but he gave little away when quizzed on a potential move to the club where he made his name.
In mid-December Rooney was asked about the links to his boyhood club, but said: "I don't think I could have missed them, to be honest!
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"I obviously came up through Everton 's Academy, Everton fan, but I see the reports and I have had no communication with Everton Football Club.
"As far as I am aware they have got a manager in place, so for me to discuss anything like that, it's not my place to do that. As I have said I am committed to this club.
"I've had no conversations with Everton Football Club regarding the manager's job so it's not even something I'm thinking about."
A month on and the picture has now changed, with Benitez now gone after a meek surrender at Norwich last weekend.
As for Rooney, his stock is rising. He is masterminding a superb run of form in charge of Derby County.
Saturday's win over Sheffield United moved the Rams off the bottom of the Championship - despite being handed a 21-point deduction this season for off-field breaches.
Many believe that if Rooney was to pull off the great escape it would rank as one of the all-time achievements in English football, especially given the conditions in which he is working under.
Sky Sports reported on Sunday that Rooney would find it hard to turn down the Everton job if approached, although the Toffees are not said to have done so at present.
Derby and Rooney have endured another torrid week off the pitch.
The beleaguered Rams have been hit with another transfer embargo and there have been rumours about the club's long-term future as they remain in administration.
Rooney was also said to be 'fuming' after he was told he could not extend the contract of veteran defender Phil Jagielka.
Jagielka, 39, ended up leaving for rivals Stoke City. His departure was one of four at Derby this week.
Goalkeeper David Marshall has moved to QPR, midfielder Graeme Shinnie was sold to League One side Wigan and striker Sam Baldock departed after his short-term contract expired.
Despite all the setbacks, Rooney's side recorded a superb 2-0 win over the Blades and are now just eight points off safety.
Speaking about where the achievement of keeping the club up this season would rank in his career, Rooney said: "It would be the biggest achievement in football for me, to deal with everything and manage to stay up, but there is a lot of hard work to do before we start to do that."
