Adkins was caught unawares as the rest of us ... he obviously didn't know what has been happening the past month from Mr Cortese.
Potentially.
I was reading some Espanyol forums and fansites earlier and some of them stated that the wheels had been in motion since before Xmas. Now whether NA was fully aware or not, we do not know. But Pochettino has supposedly been watching on and studying for weeks.
We also now know that Wilkins told Echo reporters at Stamford Bridge that NA knew he was leaving after that game.
So, at what point did NA find out about Cortese's scheming? All we know is it is some time before the Chelsea game.
It also explains some weird comments, e.g. Forren when asked about whether VF was coming "ask the men who knows".
Vegard then said yesterday he spoke to Mauricio the other day??? Interesting.
Coutinho? There's enough about that to suggest that may well have been someone that had their name put forward by Mauricio.
It's an odd and interesting situation. Sure, if Nigel knew early enough it was coming (but not totally sure of when), it was not a case of "Nigel Adkins - Manager" but "Nigel Adkins - Caretaker Manager" whilst we awaited the arrival of our new manager.
It's a bit hard to stomach for us fans, and possibly Nigel - but I just wonder WHEN did Nigel find out....