It's nearly 11 months since Paul Merson asked "Why does it always have to be a foreign manager?", a soundbite which has been played many times since.
Merson was speaking on Sky Sports about Hull's appointment of Marco Silva as manager, while also channelling the spirit of Brexit. "Why is this geezer any different to Gary Rowlett?" Merse wanted to know. He was angry about what he felt was a lack of opportunities for British managers at Premier League clubs.
Nearly a year later and Silva is being looked at with covetous eyes by other clubs, most notably Everton who wanted to make the 40-year-old Portuguese manager the successor to Ronald Koeman.
Despite Hull being relegated last season, Silva emerged with credit, making the move to Watford where he has further enhanced his reputation in a short period of time.
One of Everton's alternatives to Silva was another Portuguese: Paulo Fonseca. The 44-year-old is currently manager of Shakhtar Donetsk. Everton's advances for Fonseca were reportedly turned down.
Prior to that news, former Everton player Alan Stubbs had a few words to say regarding the possibility of Fonseca being appointed. "What does Fonseca know about Everton football club?" asked Stubbs, speaking on talkSPORT2.
Marco Silva's immediate impact in the Premier League, despite a lack of previous experience, was not a factor in Stubbs' thinking.
There has to be a sense of reality. This is an unbelievable football club, one with a history of being among the elite clubs in this country. This is what Everton is all about. What does he know about Everton? What does he know about the Premier League?
Sam Allardyce looks set to be the next Everton boss. Stubbs took the opportunity to put himself forward as a candidate to be Big Sam's assistant.
"Everybody know what Everton means to me and at this moment in time I’m twiddling my thumbs in the house and waiting to get back into football. If the opportunity came along, I’d find it very difficult to say no."
The likely appointment of Allardyce, along with Alan Pardew being confirmed at West Brom, means the source of Paul Merson's fears about the lack of opportunities for young British managers should be more native than foreign.
Moyes done, Pardew coming, Allardyce close. Make that 10 of the last 16. https://t.co/5rcok8kw8d
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) November 27, 2017
7 of last 13 PL managerial appointments have been Brits aged 50-70. Moyes and Allardyce next. There's your barrier to young British coaches.
— Daniel Storey (@danielstorey85) November 5, 2017
