This time two years ago, when Michael O'Neill left the world of international management with Northern Ireland to return to club football at Stoke City, the Potters were in a bit of a mess.
Just 18 months on from being relegated after 10 straight seasons in the Premier League, Stoke were bottom of the Championship.
O'Neill was also their fifth manager in under two years - a remarkable turnaround in patience from a board who had shown almost total faith in just two first-team gaffers in all their time in the top flight, Tony Pulis and Mark Hughes.