Eddie Howe's new long-term deal could easily have been presented to him back in May when it became obvious he was a good fit for Newcastle United.
It was back then, the night that Howe was serenaded by the Gallowgate End in a 2-0 win over Arsenal, the suggestions behind the scenes that the former AFC Bournemouth boss would be rewarded with a lucrative new contract started to emerge. Howe was already contracted until 2024 - but now the new arrangement could stretch well beyond that.
The Magpies did not give an end date to his contract but Chronicle Live understands the deal is "multiple years" and could roll on through an entire era if results go well. Co-owner Amanda Staveley had first mentioned a long-term deal back in February when comparisons were made to the Sir Alex Ferguson dynasty at Old Trafford.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe 'incredibly proud' as head coach agrees new deal at Newcastle United
First things first, Newcastle need to build on their 11th place finish last season. And the campaign ahead won't be straight-forward as Newcastle try to establish themselves as a top 10 side.
But at least there is a plan now at St James' Park and given the fact sporting director Dan Ashworth used the term "leader" a couple of times in his press release on the eve of the season, Howe certainly has the capabilities to take the team to that next level.
For all the talk of Champions League places when the takeover went through the next big step Newcastle could make is to the Europa Conference League. And while that could take two years it feels like the club is moving in the right direction.
Howe's new deal shows there is stability at the club and just days before CEO Darren Eales comes in there can be no doubt that everybody is pushing the same way. Then there is the subject of England...
In a season that will split in two for the World Cup finals in Qatar there is no doubt that Gareth Southgate goes into the tournament under pressure. Journalists can't be accused of rocking the boat on that score because the FA's panel have already stated that Howe's "day will come" with his country.
For the FA he would be the perfect fit in many ways too. Having completed all his qualifications he guided Bournemouth from the lower leagues to the Premier League.
Howe was sat in the stands for the UEFA Women's Euro final last Sunday and nobody could forgive him for glancing down at the dugout and wondering what it would be like to lead his country one day. But for now, Southgate remains in charge and lives to fight another day.
But Howe's contract may reassure Newcastle fans who fear that if Southgate did go later this year, the chances of the Toon boss being whisked away to save the Three Lions may at least have been lessened. It's now about the long-term project Howe can roll out on Tyneside.
The last time we found ourselves in this position at St James' Park it was Alan Pardew who was handed an eight-year deal by Mike Ashley. Only the project in front of him was to somehow try to create something on limited funds.
The pressure of the long deal and the lack financial support - not to mention unhealthy dynamics between Pardew and transfer chief Graham Carr - resulted in an eight-year agreement ending after just two years! Throw in a local Press ban and a string of defeats against Sunderland it never boded well.
Yet looking back Pardew did an amazing job overall, leading the club to fifth place and Europe and leaving them in ninth position. Not bad for somebody who had limited funds.
Howe will hope he gets the financial backing and the long-term rewards. Howe knew the extension was in the pipeline (these things are never dreamed up and actioned between a Press conference and lunch at the training ground) and spoke glowingly about the prospects that lie ahead.
When asked his main ambition, Howe said: "A trophy, we would love to achieve that for everyone connected with the team, whether this is this season – or beyond.
“If I sat here and said I didn’t want to win a trophy, there’d be something wrong with me. That’s my dream, to win silverware. I have to dream big on behalf of the club. It’s not saying ‘we’ll do it’, it’s my dream."
If Howe's dream comes true they might just have to make space between Sir Bobby Robson and Alan Shearer for a new statue on Gallowgate.
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