The longer this went on the clearer it became that I was not here to discuss some minor staff role. The whole thing had been veiled in secrecy and somehow I had been the last to realise what was going on.

Recalling it all in the departure lounge at the airport it was the first time that I'd been able to make sense of any of it.

It would seem that Mauuel Pellegrini had been paid off (and from what I can gather took the club for all he could) due to a "conflict of working methods" with the General Manager Marco Almeira. This guy made a brief appearence, introducing himself before having a quiet word with Mark. They then both left. I was not exactly pleased with Mark leaving me to the sharks like that but the more I learned, the more I realised he was responsible for most of this mess.

It was him who had reccommended me. Yes, I was to become team manager of Villareal but pretty much on paper only. This club is full of secrets and Mr Almeira is the one pulling the strings...above him of course is Mr Riog.

I was to act as if I was in charge, sit in the dug-out, shout instructions, but Almeira was to have the last word on selection, transfers, all financial dealings...he would carefully script my press confrences. I was suitable apparently because I was unknown. I was to keep my head down and play along.

Of course I asked why Almeria didn't just do the job himself but was told that at the moment "it was better for the club if he was kept out of the public eye".

The guy sat to Riog's left, Ruben Cousillas was to be my assistant. From what Mark told me in the car afterwards he was loyal to Pellegrini and understandably angry with recent developments. He was to help me get to know the squad and make key decisions when Almeria was away on business.

His loyalty to Pellegrini prevented the hierarchy trusting him with the role given to me. He knew too much.

Arriving feeling a little shaky in Mark's car, I left feeling a lot worse as the local press, tipped off I'm sure, followed us out the car park.

I got back on the plane to Stanstead. I was manager of Villareal but didn't feel like I was allowed to tell anyone. I somehow thought that if I could get back to England I could just carry on as if none of this had actually happened.