If coming up against Pep Guardiola, Thomas Tuchel and Jurgen Klopp was not already challenging enough, Steve Bruce could well be pitting his wits against Antonio Conte next season.
The Italian has emerged as the clear front runner to succeed Jose Mourinho at Spurs after leaving Serie A champions Inter Milan last month.
Conte, of course, has previous experience of managing in England, having won the title with Chelsea, and his last Premier League game in charge of the Blues was actually at St James' Park back in 2018.
It was the final day of the season and Chelsea still had a chance of sneaking into the top four if they beat Newcastle and Brighton defeated Liverpool.
Although Chelsea had an FA Cup final on the horizon, against Manchester United, Conte still named a strong side, with Thibaut Courtois, Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill, Ngolo Kante, Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud all starting.
However, Newcastle ended up humbling the 2017 champions on a glorious, sunny afternoon on Tyneside as Rafa Benitez's side signed off the campaign in style.
Dwight Gayle headed Newcastle in front midway through the first half before Ayoze Perez scored two goals in the space of just four minutes after the break.
Conte, who is usually so passionate on the touchline, could only watch on with his arms folded as feeble Chelsea failed to even muster a shot until the 52nd minute.
After the game, Conte admitted it was a 'great frustration' that Chelsea finished their league campaign in such a way - just six days before facing Manchester United at Wembley.
"For sure, we didn't play a good game but, from the start, Newcastle outplayed us in many aspects," he told reporters in his last press conference at St James'.
"I think Newcastle today showed great desire. They had a greater fight, a greater will to take three points, to finish the season in the best possible way. I'm sure we can do better than today."
Regardless of whether it was the opening day or final day, no manager would tolerate such a performance but Conte is a particular stickler for hard work.
Indeed, at his unveiling press conference at Chelsea, Conte mentioned the word 'work' a whopping 32 times ahead of putting his players through gruelling triple sessions in pre-season.
The hard work only continued when the campaign got under way and, given the constant orders he barked during drills and games, it was hardly a surprise that Conte always had a packet of Ambrosoli al Miele throat lozenges to hand.
While Conte had some quality players at his disposal, including Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Cesc Fabregas, the Italian stressed it was 'through the work' that Chelsea won the title in 2017.
If Conte is to take Spurs to St James' next season, the 51-year-old will certainly demand a greater 'desire', 'fight' and 'will to take three points' after what he witnessed on his last visit to Tyneside.
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