There was no storybook ending to Steve McClaren's reign as Middlesbrough coach as his side were thrashed 4-0 by Sevilla in the UEFA Cup final here on Wednesday.
After Luis Fabiano had given the Spanish side a first-half lead, the man who will replace Sven-Goran Eriksson as England coach saw his side threaten a fightback before capitulating in the final 12 minutes as Enzo Maresca scored twice and Freddie Kanoute added a fourth.
McClaren, in charge for his 251st game of Middlesbrough, admitted that the team had been a bit overawed.
His Sevilla counterpart Juande Ramos said it was thanks to his side's new more attacking approach that they had reaped their due reward.
Middlesbrough captain Gareth Southgate was honest about the chasm in class between the two sides.
Starting slowly has become a familiar trait for Middlesbrough this season, and the final was no different.
They were neat at times through the midfield, but barely threatened before half-time, and fell behind after 26 minutes.
It would be inaccurate to say the goal had been coming, but Sevilla had certainly begun the brighter, Daniel Alves sending an early angled drive fizzing just wide and Chris Riggott twice having to make crucial interceptions at the near post as Adriano found space behind Stuart Parnaby on the Sevilla left.
It was from the other flank that the breakthrough came, though, as Luis Fabiano climbed above a static Gareth Southgate to head a Daniel Alves cross in off the far post.
The move from which the goal came was excellent, a series of sharp passes working the ball across the pitch, but Middlesbrough will wonder how the Brazilian forward found so much room from an unexceptional cross from deep.