Tuesday night saw Pep Guardiola crowned LMA Manager of the Year for the third time in response to Manchester City's fifth title in six seasons. This, the City team, who were short odds on to reclaim their crown when the pre-season title odds were calculated... Certainly a fantastic achievement but arguably a foregone conclusion before a ball was first kicked last August.
Guardiola has undoubtedly changed English football in a way very few before him have managed, and while accusations of untouchable budgets and the triple-figure financial charges looming over City will be levelled at the Spaniard, his genius remains clear.
The Etihad outfit are still on the hunt for a historic treble, which saw a number of outside spectators crown Pep as Manager of the Year before the votes had even been cast. But this award was really supposed to celebrate the best manager from England's top flight alone this term.
READ MORE: Dominik Szoboszlai drops major summer transfer hint as Newcastle United target 'elite' players
With that being said, it feels a tad disappointing Eddie Howe didn't pick up the accolade instead. After all, while every man and their dog rightly predicted City would dominate another 38-game campaign, even the most optimistic of the Geordie faithful felt a top four finish AND a cup final was beyond this current Newcastle United squad.
Guardiola has had to deal with the critics who consistently mention net spend and monumental financial outlays year on year but so has Howe and while the Magpies boss has certainly spent to improve the team at his disposal, the crux of the success has been made possible by Steve Bruce's hand-me-downs.
Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schar, Jacob Murphy, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and Joe Willock; all players who have been transformed from relegation survival experts to Champions League contenders after a hefty dose of Howe's man-management.
Not only does Newcastle's position in the league table point to Howe being the worthy recipient of such a fine honour, it is the way the north east outfit have blown teams out of the water. Brentford, Aston Villa, Everton, Fulham, Southampton and Tottenham were all on the receiving end of drubbings by this Newcastle side, while Howe led his side to wins over the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea, Brighton et al.
United picked up six points off Spurs, four off Chelsea, became the first team to take points off Arsenal at the Emirates, held Manchester City and were the only team in the league to go unbeaten in the capital. Still, it wasn't to be.
Of course, Howe won't lose too much sleep over the decision. Never one to blow his own horn, the Newcastle boss will no doubt know exactly well he has done with his current crop of St James' Park talent. Though it would have been a fine way to end the season with one more reason to celebrate.
An honourable mention must go to Roberto De Zerbi, who made Brighton an even better outfit than they were under Graham Potter, something many thought impossible.
All that is left now is for Guardiola to try and claim the treble, which will no doubt vindicate the LMA decision in the eyes of many. However, there is only Premier League boss who has overachieved more than any other over the past 12 months - and he manages on Tyneside.
READ NEXT
Newcastle United's best and worst scenario in Champions League group stage draw
Dodgy dancing, local heroes and Howe's genius - Newcastle's incredible season recapped in full
Frank Lampard airs 'strong' Newcastle opinion as cameras miss Chelsea legend's show of respect
Lewis Miley reveals brilliant message Eddie Howe gave him seconds before Newcastle United debut
The six best Eddie Howe decisions that earned Newcastle United Champions League football in 2022/23
