That came as a bit of a surprise. Not least because, when it emerged a press conference was being called at the First Minister’s Bute House residence, I asked one of his senior aides if there would be a big announcement.
His very straightforward reply: “If you’re asking me if he’s resigning, the answer is no.”
Oh well. At least I got in. Four newspapers were excluded from the press conference, which caused exactly the kind of hysterics you would imagine.
An opened Champagne bottle still sat on the steps of Bute House, an allegory of what might have been for Alex Salmond after Better Together snatched back momentum to seal a convincing 10-point victory against his independence campaign.
That shouldn’t detract from the SNP leader’s achievements, though. In two separate stints at the helm of the party he has been the major catalyst for its success.
From out on the fringes to minority government to a majority which laughed in the face of Holyrood’s voting system, he has dragged it kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.
With Scottish Parliamentary control came the independence referendum, something some of his supporters would never have dreamed could happen, even if it did end in tears.
Mr Salmond’s divisiveness should not be glossed over, though. He turns people off as much as he wins them over.
Accusations of being smug, of an overly aggressive, macho verbal manner mean he is not universally popular.
Now is the opportunity Nicola Sturgeon has been waiting for. She will be the red-hot favourite to step up from deputy to number one and will relish the task.
It could also see a shift left in SNP thinking, compared to the broadly centrist policies of the current regime.
Will there be challengers? Health Secretary Alex Neil might fancy himself as being in with a shout, while Education Secretary Mike Russell has tried for the top job before.
For outside bets, some may tip Derek Mackay or Humza Yousaf, although both are more likely to end up candidates for deputy.
Whatever happens, we are looking at the end of an era dominated by a man with unquestionable talent.
He was certainly not always likeable, or even necessarily trustworthy, but Alex Salmond has been Holyrood’s best performer for the last decade.