Reading boss Ruben Selles has admitted that he needs to 'analyse' his position but defiantly stated 'I'm not a person who likes to quit' as the latest takeover attempt collapsed.
Rob Couhig spent months with Selles and club staff at both Bearwood training ground and the SCL Stadium, meeting with supporters and preparing for the deal to be confirmed.
However, on Tuesday the club confirmed that the deal was off and Couhig had been paid back in full.
A downbeat Selles met with the press ahead of Saturday's trip to Bolton Wanderers to discuss the mood in the camp.
"We are all disappointed," he started. "I'm really disappointed with the situation.
"I'm surprised that the deal is not complete. That is unfair surprise. The second thing is that some of the steps that the reviewing the situation is that now that we did as a club and also him as a potential buyer, I think they are not normal in a takeover pre-situation.
"With him just showing before the deal is done or without with us as a club allowing him to show to show himself or to be with the building. I think that's something that the club and the management now needs to learn from. We cannot start to put people in and out until the deal is complete."
Frustration continued throughout the session, with it visible on his face and in his tone.
Inevitably, questions over the popular manager's future were asked, and Selles continued to answer with dignity and passion.
"I need to analyse myself because at what point it is enough? We are here, we make a compromise and my compromise with my players and my people in the technical staff. The fans have been responding really well to me, but I think at one point you need to ask yourself what we are doing here.
"All the bad situations that can happen in football have happened to me here in the last 16 months and I think I have proved to myself that I can navigate through that, not only myself but a fantastic group of players that has been over and over again just fighting against those situations. Also, technical staff.
"It's a point where you cannot do more because you are repeating the things in the cycle and the circle is coming back and coming back again. I'm not even reflecting on myself- I'm not a person that likes to quit- but I need to see what is the ending point because obviously, I'm not happy with anything that has happened."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here