John Rooney was in the gym when he learned that Macclesfield manager Robbie Savage left the club suddenly.
The 34-year-old had just helped the phoenix club move to within two promotions of the Football League, weeks earlier, when the title-winning manager departed, leaving the post for the experienced midfielder to take over.
Now, a matter of months into his first-ever managerial role, Rooney is looking to guide Macclesfield to a historic FA Cup third-round cup draw, as they head to Slough Town on Sunday (12:30pm KO).
It was days before the beginning of pre-season when rumours intensified that the former Wales international had left to join Forest Green Rovers.
Rooney was immediately installed as the head coach ahead of the season at their highest level, National League North (step five of the football pyramid), since their reformation.
"I got wind of it, spoke to Sav [Robbie Savage] and he mentioned it [going to Forest Green]," says Rooney.
"I met Rob [Smethurst the owner], it was something we discussed and it happened really quick. There wasn't much time to think about it.
"When I joined as a player, it was something was brought up and an opportunity might come that way with me being a little bit older and wanting to get into the coaching side of things.
"It was something I had mentioned, did I think it would happen so soon? Probably not. Sav come in, we won the league and we didn't see him leaving but it came out of nowhere."
At the time, rumours suggested former Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney, John's older brother, was in line to take over at Moss Rose.
It was claimed that the England icon, who had only recently parted ways with Plymouth Argyle, was in line for a shock move to step five of the football pyramid.
But was it ever a possibility? "No (laughs). I don't think he was a contender," he says.
The Rooney surname is widely noticeable, with the notoriety of his brothers' career following him around since the age of 12, yet John's resume is equally impressive. The midfielder began his youth career at Everton before making his steps in the professional game with the Silkmen.
New York Red Bulls, Chester, Wrexham, Barrow, Stockport County and Oldham Athletic count as some of his former clubs with over 500 senior appearances, with silverware added to the collection along the way.
During his playing career, the 34-year-old enjoyed success in the FA Cup, coming on against his boyhood club for Macclesfield Town in 2009, and scoring from his own-half for the Hatters against Rochdale in 2020.
Management had only come into Rooney's mind five or six years ago. The fire was lit and he began coaching at Everton's academy, while taking sessions for the Silkmen's first-team last season.
The role could have been his last summer until Savage decided to take the reins from Michael Clegg, after the idea of becoming the future manager was floated to him when he joined the club.
It has come full circle for the Croxteth-born tactician as he is in charge of the club that kick-started his professional football career, having rejoined the club in 2023 after their promotion from the Northern Premier League West - step seven of the football pyramid.
Macclesfield have beaten Atherton Laburnum Rovers, Nantwich Town, Stamford AFC and AFC Totton so far on their route to the second round. For the first time in the competition this year, they're on the road and travel to National League South opposition.
In the context of the respective leagues, they're both at the same level with the Rebels sit in the bottom four in the South division, while Macclesfield can move into the playoffs if they win their games in-hand.
Slough Town stand in the way of Rooney's side booking their place in the hat alongside Premier League juggernauts such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man United and Manchester City.
Rooney, assisted by former Everton and Arsenal striker Francis Jeffers, is in the infancy of his career in the dugout and the 34-year-old can lay a marker with a historic result on Sunday.
"For someone to start at a club as big as this, it's a great opportunity for me," he says. "The backing that the board have given me, it's the club where I started my footballing career and where I ended, then taking over, did I think it'd happen? It's a godsend to be here.
"It would mean everything [to progress]. It will be brilliant if we can get a good result and tie in the third round.
"We're going into it in good spirits, we're going there to get the win."