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Cape Town - It was, as he emphasised at a hastily arranged press conference on Friday, Stuart Baxter's own decision into taking the fateful step of resigning as the Bafana Bafana head coach after little more than two years of what was earmarked a five-year contract.
But if it was not the various football and political officials and a largely hostile and rabid media and soccer public who implemented the fateful step, it was more than a gentle nudge for Baxter to cut his ties with the national team he had served with commitment and dignity.
And if ever there was one, Baxter was effectively a scapegoat before deciding "enough was enough."
Bafana's performances during the British-born coach's tenure were mainly no more than modest while continuing a long-standing pattern that existed before he assumed control.
There were a couple of notable exceptions like the away 2-0 CAF Nations Cup qualifying victory over Nigeria and the striking success over hosts Egypt in the AFCON Finals itself.
But his culpability for a lack of more inspiration in the national team's play could be said to be more due to the shortcomings of the players and some costly decisions by controlling body SAFA in assisting with the team's preparation - notably in not organising a series of revealing warm-up matches before the recent African pinnacle tournament in which South Africa reached the quarter-finals but with a number of patchy performances.
In soccer worldwide it has become almost a tradition to link immediately the failure of a team in coming up to expectations to the coach - notwithstanding any rational assessment of all of the facts.
Notwithstanding this, it was untimely, to say the least, for the Minister of Sport, whose credentials generally in sporting matters are an unknown factor, to voice the view that Bafana should be coached by a South African instead of a foreigner.
Theoretically, of course, this is entirely a valid sentiment, but the timing in this instance was lacking in diplomacy and judgement and should not be a hard and fast rule.
Baxter might not have been the most ideally-suited Bafana coach, ironically because his sophistication and apparent lack of emotion was viewed with a lack of comprehension by some players who understand better a more emotional approach.
But it is worth noting that Dean Furman, one of Bafana's most experienced players with years of participation in English soccer, was lavish in his praise of Baxter and rated him as one of the top coaches he had encountered in his career.
And Baxter has indicated that while characteristically not shifting the blame and criticising anyone else for Bafana's limitations, he will not find it difficult in acquiring a new appointment, with reports indicating several offers are already under consideration overseas and even locally.
Also, while a little far-fetched at the moment, more than a few Kaizer Chiefs diehards have voiced the wish for him to return to Amakhosi where he enjoyed considerable success in the past.
Also characteristically and contrary to wild reports, Baxter has not attempted to secure a settlement from SAFA for the termination of his contract.
Baxter has also received unstinting, if delayed praise from SAFA acting CEO Russell Paul for his contributions to Bafana, raising the question as to why attempts were not made to retain his services, even if holding onto a reluctant coach who says his passion for the job has become diluted by the existing climate, would be self-defeating.
So what for the Bafana hot seat itself. The climate created is for a local appointment. But it won't be easy for whoever ultimately gets the job that has been entrusted on an acting basis, controversially again on the under-17 South African coach!
