Manchester United sacked Jose Mourinho last week and reportedly immediately made Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino their top choice to take over from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of the season.
That set tongues wagging about Spurs’ standing in English football’s food chain; whether Pochettino has taken them as far as he possibly can or if their journey is just beginning.
Tottenham have battled against post World Cup fatigue and chaos surrounding their new stadium to enjoy another successful season but the speculation around Pochettino’s future could have proved to be the straw that broke the camel’s back.
But their response has been absolutely exemplary; Pochettino took his side to Everton and saw them net six goals in a demolition job of a victory, before Bournemouth were seen off 5-0 on Boxing Day.
When Harry Redknapp’s head was turned by the England job in 2012, Spurs fell apart and missed out on Champions League qualification, but the current side are made of much sterner stuff.
It is almost as if talk of Manchester United simply clicking their fingers and poaching Pochettino has riled the players to go on and prove that they are a better side, with better prospects to boot.
Of course the historic lure of Old Trafford is undeniable; but Tottenham have put themselves into the title race, United have played some basic attacking football and it’s as good as they’ve looked since Sir Alex Ferguson retired.
The two sides are on different planes right now and it is Pochettino and Spurs who are in contention for the big prize.