Scott Parker and Steve Bruce go head-to-head on Wednesday night with the tables having turned in their managerial careers in just 12 months.
Parker looks destined for a Premier League return as boss of Bournemouth and a win against Bruce's faltering West Bromwich Albion would move them a step closer to the top flight. It would also hammer another nail, and a potentially fatal one, into the Baggies' faint hopes of reaching the play-offs in what has been a disappointing campaign back in the Championship for them.
It is a stark contrast to this time last year when relative rookie Parker was heading for relegation with Fulham whilst veteran Bruce's Newcastle won five of their last eight games to finish in 12th position - their best placing for four seasons. Ironically the final game of last season saw the Magpies seal a routine 2-0 win at Craven Cottage against an already-relegated Fulham side.
The win meant Newcastle finished 18 points clear of the Cottagers after Parker's attempts at mind games earlier in the season failed to have the desired effect.
Paker said in February of that season that his old club could well be dragged into a dogfight. Bruce responded with his own barb, saying: "Fulham have won and closed the gap a bit, but they’re still struggling to win as well. They have only won one in 14 games. It’s all to play for. From 13th downwards you’re looking over your shoulder. We’re not alone in it. If they (Fulham) are confident, then let’s see where we are at the end of the season. You have to quietly go about your job and get the points on the board."
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Bruce had the last laugh but it would quickly unravel for him on Tyneside, with the 61-year-old unceremoniously sacked by Newcastle just one game into their bright new era following the takeover by a Saudi-led consortium last October. As for Parker, he made a surprise decision in the summer to leave Fulham and join second tier rivals Bournemouth.
The switch has paid off for both clubs with the Cottagers just a handful of points away from confirming promotion and Parker's current employers looking highly likely to join them. They have lost just one of their last ten league games and have as many as three games in hand on the chasing pack. Speaking after the dramatic 3-2 win over Bristol City, Parker insists the position his team are in is down to the togetherness of the whole squad.
"I have full trust and belief in the squad," said Parker. "I think we've seen that over the course of the season. The evolution of this team is there and everyone has played a massive part. They are a group that comes in every day and every single player tunes in and understands what's expected of them."
As for Albion, they have certainly not had a new manager bounce under Bruce since his arrival in February. They have won just two of 10 games, with Sunday's defeat to Midlands rival Birmingham City described by Bruce as "the worst game of football I've ever seen". Despite another year in the second tier looking highly likely, he says he is committed to honouring his 18-month deal: "As far as I’m concerned. I’d love to stay.”
