One is a manager whose appointment felt anti-climactic. The other was subject to feverish interest and a £10million bid for his services.
But the current trajectories of Claude Puel and Marco Silva show how quickly perceptions can change in football.
Silva has finally left Watford, but instead of a new job he is walking into uncertainty. The Portuguese was yesterday sacked with a club statement firmly blaming Everton’s unsettling advances. Since that cease and desist letter sent to Goodison Park in November Silva has overseen 11 matches and collected just five points.
He was asked about his position in the aftermath of Leicester’s 2-0 victory.