Newcastle United's decision to appoint Eddie Howe as Steve Bruce's successor will go down as a masterstroke from the Magpies new owners if they're able to secure Premier League survival. The Toon made the worst start to a Premier League season in their history - taking 15 games to clock up a win against fellow strugglers Burnley.
Of course, people will point to the January transfer window as one of the main factors behind Newcastle's resurgence, but Howe also deserves massive credit for the Magpies turn around. It's easy to forget it could have been so very different had the Magpies owners got their first choice.
Unai Emery was the surprise name at the top of the Magpies shortlist but a public pursuit marred their approach. We've taken a look at six of the candidates who were linked with the vacant managerial position at Newcastle earlier this season and what they've done since.
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Paulo Fonseca
Paulo Fonseca was the bookmakers' favourite to take over at St. James Park after Steve Bruce's departure. The new regime allowed Steve Bruce to manage his 1000th game against Tottenham Hotspur before dismissing the unpopular boss and starting a lengthy process to appoint their own man.
The former Roma boss is still yet to find a managerial role in the Premier League but remains confident that it'll happen. In a recent interview, he claimed he was close to joining the Magpies, and recently fled Ukraine due to the ongoing Russian invasion.
Unai Emery
Newcastle United's approach to make Unai Emery took the La Liga outfit by surprise in October, but even the Magpies were not prepared for the public rejection from the former Arsenal boss. On the back of winning the Europa League with the Yellow Submarine, Emery has gone from strength to strength since leaving North London.
A disappointing spell with the Gunners somewhat tainting an exemplary CV. Emery has guided Villareal to the Quarter Finals of the Champions League where they're set to face Bayern Munich.
A slow start in the league has left then lagging behind the chasing European pack in La Liga, with the Yellow Submarine currently sat in 7th place - three points adrift. The consensus in Spain is that Emery will want to give the Premier League another crack at some point in the future.
Antonio Conte
Conte was arguably the most in demand manager at the time of Bruce's departure. Fresh from winning the Serie A title with Inter Milan, Conte was being courted by a host of top European clubs, but it was Daniel Levy and Tottenham Hotspur who won the race for his signature.
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It's unclear whether there were serious talks between Newcastle and the Italian head coach to replace Bruce, but that didn't stop media speculation linking him to the job. A number of outlets claimed Conte rejected the chance to take over at St. James' Park with European football on offer elsewhere.
Interestingly for the Magpies, Spurs were the last side Newcastle faced with Bruce in charge. With the two sides set to face off this weekend, it's a brilliant opportunity to see how far the Magpies have come under Howe.
Steven Gerrard
Then Rangers boss, Steven Gerrard, was tentatively linked with the Newcastle head coach role. Another title-winning manager keen to test themselves in the Premier League, Gerrard was also one of those to reportedly turn down the job.
Instead opting to move to Aston Villa just a month later. The Villains have been pushing for a top-half finish this season but back-to-back defeats ahead of the international break has seen that push stagnate.
With just eight games to go, Gerrard will be hoping Villa stop their recent slide and kick on in the final few months of the season.
Frank Lampard
Like Howe, Frank Lampard was one of the managers out of a job in October. The former Chelsea boss was perhaps somewhat unfairly treated during his tenure at Stamford Bridge, working well under a transfer embargo, but you can't question his sacking given their Champions League endeavours under Thomas Tuchel.
Lampard was reportedly one of the main contenders to take over at St. James' Park but was unsuccessful in his attempt. Instead, he took over at fellow strugglers Everton after the sacking of former Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez.
The Toffees snatched a late winner against the Magpies just prior to the international break to keep their survival hopes alive. They may have games in hand on their rivals but Lampard will have his work cut out.
Lucien Favre
Former Borussia Dortmund boss Lucien Favre was a left field name linked with the role. It's now been two years since Favre was in charge of thee Bundesliga outfit and is still looking for a route back into management.
The Swiss boss was linked with Crystal Palace in the summer, prior to Newcastle, but he rejected the Eagles approach. Favre was one of the names repeatedly linked with the vacant position at St. James' Park but talks would not progress into anything more.
