And so the top managerial jobs in England go to overseas coaches,
Enter José Mourinho at Chelsea, Rafael Benitez soon at Liverpool and Martin Jol at White Hart Lane. the Premiership will boast a European Cup, Uefa Cup and LaLiga chamions, Portuguese league and Cup winner. With Carlos Queiroz returning from Real Madrid to assist Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United - intending, indeed, to succeed him - these will be interesting, intriguing times, carrying a challenge for the English.
What is clearly emerging is that any top club in England, or one that aspires to be, now believes that foreign is best. It may be fashion, it may also send a message and a challenge to the domestic game.
English coaches may be fuming that they are not getting close to these jobs, but, just as overseas players arrived and revealed a new professional and personal regime, so the imported managers, with their in-depth training and qualifications, illustrate the standards required.