Derek Llambias was never a great loss to the diplomatic service.

Secret tapes, the occasional outpouring on public forums and telephone chats with journalists reveal a personality who does not deal in what comes from a bull's nether regions and who has definitive ideas of how a business must be run.
It is telling, too, that the most informative comments about the businessman are made under the condition of anonymity. Some of these remarks are complimentary but still the speakers are concerned that some sort of omerta has been been broken by any observations of a major force in what has been described as Newcastle United's 'London Mafia'.
Llambias, who was born in the Big Smoke in 1957, has a reputation for toughness in business dealings but he can best be described as a Mike Ashley Mini-Me. The arrival of Llambias in Glasgow will herald dramatic changes at Rangers.
"The good news for those at Rangers is that he is loyal, hard-working and just about able to listen to opposing points of view," said a former co-worker at Newcastle United. "The bad news is that he is very, very tough and will follow the Ashley strategy in every detail."
Llambias will not be in thrall to press comment, fan reaction or the reputation of Ibrox legends. He was industrious and influential at Newcastle United but it was his outburst against Alan Shearer and Kevin Keegan, who both managed the club, that made him notorious.
Yet Llambias surely had a point when he questioned the managerial achievements of both men. They were Newcastle United legends but there were also not coaches of the first rank. Shearer, in particular, was vulnerable to criticism as he oversaw a relegation from the Premier League.
The usual certainty of football is that one panders to legends, patronises fans and plays the game with the press. Not Llambias. And, most relevantly, not Ashley.
The pair briefly fell out when Llambias resigned as Newcastle United managing director in the summer of 2013 following the appointment of Joe Kinnear, another Londoner, as director of football.
They are now friends reunited as Ashley rolls out his strategy for Rangers. Both men are unlikely to be giving detailed press briefings any time soon but a brief glance at their history suggests that the plan for Rangers will travel along well-worn lines.
Ashley will continue to give Rangers loans in return for security against tangible assets. "He will not blanche at taking Ibrox and renting it back to Rangers," said one observer last night.
Llambias will attempt to reduce costs while keeping a close eye on how every one of his boss's pennies is spent. The first part of this equation is more difficult than most assume. It was though that the Londoner's first question on arrival at Ibrox would be to inquire where the flamethrower was and apply said implement to every section of the business.
However, his accession to the post of chief executive - after a ferocious grilling at the interview presumably - will be followed by the realisation that not only have major cuts been made but that spending is required on the stadium.
The most conspicuous aspect of his job will, of course, be his actions over the footballing department. Any rational judgment would be that there are a significant number of management and players who are overpaid. This, though, is easier to assess than to reduce. Contracts are binding in financial terms. Llambias will seek to commit as few resources as possible to paying off those he deems unnecessary.
This may be good news for Ally McCoist, the manager. Yet there is the reverse argument that Ashley - and by extension Llambias - likes long-term contracts and may see McCoist, at best, as a temporary manager and decide to bite the bullet and appoint someone on a lower salary but for a period of up to eight years as is the case with Alan Pardew at Newcastle United.
"Llambias is pragmatic but he can be patient too. He will make decisions quickly if need be," said a former co-worker. "But he is prepared let other events play out. His first - and some would say - only concern is to follow the Ashley plan. This is to build up a position of strength at Rangers."
Ashley and Llambias need McCoist to deliver promotion. If it looks as if this is in peril then action will be taken.
The football operation is in the shadow of the greater plan. Ashley views Rangers as a conduit to greater exposure for Sports Direct, his merchandising business.
There will be rows, dismissals and revolution at Ibrox over the coming month. But it will be business, not personal. Llambias and Ashley, after all, have fallen back in when it suited both of them.
There will be secrecy in their actions but no mystery over their aims. Llambias has been described as a gambler because of his associations with the casino industry. He is not. He is a man who knows the advantage lies with the house, that is with those who have power to decree the rules of the game.
And Ashley? The most telling comment about the 50-year-old entrepreneur was made last night by a journalist who is charged with following his every move.
"When I started reporting on him two years ago I had to say 'Ashley, who is worth £2bn'. Now I have to write 'Ashley, who is worth £4bn . . . ' "
Llambias is now charged with not only protecting that fortune but enhancing it.