Having been on of the cornerstones of Inagi Badiola's campaign to become Real's new president, Ayseteran moved into the job at the start of the year - after being released from his contract at Liverpool - having been convinced that he would be given the freedom to manage the club as he saw fit.

But any notion of that happening quickly evaporated after Chris Coleman decided to quit and the club came to choose a new manager. Ayesteran opted for Juan Carlos Oliva and went as far as offering him the job. Badiola, however, didn't agree and quickly made it clear that he didn't intend to employ Oliva which was a tad harsh on him given that in the meantime he had resigned from his previous job as coach of Villareal's second team.

This seems to have prompted Ayesteran to resign from his position even though Badiola himself was indicating that this wasn't the case. At least it isn't just Rafael Benitez who has to deal with problematic owners.

Ayesteran's departure from Liverpool was equally controversial with many still of the opinion that it is where Liverpool's season started to go wrong. Seen as the link between the dressing room and Rafael Benitez, many were surprised at the fall out between the two who had been considered as inseparable.

Despite plenty of assurances to the contrary, the move undoubtedly had an impact and it is surprising, if not unusual, that Benitez has chosen against appointing someone in Ayesteran's place. Rumours that the job had been offered to Gary McAllister have proven to be off the mark but it would seem that an appointment will eventually be made.