Mauricio Pochettino was once heavily touted as the manager deemed capable of leading Newcastle United into a whole new era.
The former Tottenham Hotspur chief's name was briefed around the football circuit when Newcastle thought they were on the brink of a takeover in 2020. But in the end, United's takeover went through more than a year later than first hoped by which time Pochettino was in charge of Paris St-Germain.
And it has probably turned out to be for the best for Newcastle with Eddie Howe coming in to do an unbelievable job and proving to be a Premier League manager of the season contender. The only issue for Newcastle now is that Pochettino is on his way back to manage Chelsea.
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There's no doubt United have had a brilliant campaign, but the pathway to the top four has been made a little easier by Chelsea and Spurs' struggles. Pochettino will not accept anything other than top four as he takes the job at Stamford Bridge but it is Newcastle who have thrown the gauntlet down already ahead of next season.
Next season's scrap for the Champions League places will be a major test for any club with ambition with the powerhouses like Man City and Liverpool certain to be in the mix while Man United, Arsenal and Spurs will all be back as well as the Blues. Throw in Brighton & Hove Albion and Aston Villa under Unai Emery, next season is looking they most competitive fight for Europe in decades.
It's where things get really interesting from a Newcastle point of view in the upcoming summer window. Howe has already stated that a major squad overhaul is unlikely and tough to do.
But he has hinted at improving the squad and United will need to if they are to keep pace with the big boys next term. Whether that is a marquee signing and some extra depth, or four or five players that are first-team ready to bolster Howe's options remains to be seen.
Either way, it is a nice problem to have and Howe knows he will enjoy the backing of an ambitious board who have raced into the Champions League places. Interestingly, Newcastle will face off with Chelsea in pre-season in one of Poch's first matches and it will be then we get a taste of what type of team he will set up.
Bearing in mind, Chelsea have splashed out £600m in transfers since Todd Boehly came in as supremo, Pochettino has already got some talent in his group that may only need better coaching. Newcastle well and truly rattled Chelsea back in November before the World Cup, and Howe will feel overtaking them this season has been a major step in the right direction.
As things stand it is Newcastle who are setting the standard. Poch is playing catch up.
