Back in June, Sabri Lamouchi’s appointment at Nottingham Forest prompted a few quizzical looks.
Little more than five months later, it is seemingly admiring glances which are being cast the Frenchman’s way.
That’s the flip side to an impressive start to the season at the City Ground.
Lamouchi was largely something of an unknown on these shores when his arrival was confirmed in the summer.
“Sabri who?” was the response from many when Martin O’Neill’s replacement was named, 18 minutes after the Northern Irishman’s departure.
Although having had a distinguished playing career and done well in his previous management roles, Lamouchi was not a household name among Reds fans.
In his homeland, he was highly regarded for his work at Rennes, but on the banks of the Trent, he was generally seen as a left-field choice for a club looking to finally get back to the Promised Land of the Premier League.
If supporters had their doubts back then, few are querying Forest’s decision now. Such has been Lamouchi’s impact.
But while the 48-year-old has generated a wave of optimism among the Reds, the ripple effect of that has spread further afield - all the way to the top-flight, if reports are to believed.
That’s what overseeing a charge to fourth place in the Championship does for you.
It’s no surprise if other teams start to take note, on the lookout for someone with a magic touch; someone to transform fortunes.
Wolverhampton Wanderers are as a possible option should Nuno Espirito Santo leave for the vacant Arsenal job, a role with which the Portuguese has been linked.
And to replace the axed Quique Sanchez Flores at fellow Premier League outfit Watford.
Continue on the same upward curve with results on the pitch and they no doubt won’t be the only ones looking at the former Ivory Coast boss.
There is no suggestion Lamouchi is about to have his head turned. Focusing on the task in hand is his default position - you can be sure he won’t be looking any further ahead than Friday night’s trip to Millwall.
He has an exciting - and challenging - project on his hands in the East Midlands; an opportunity to write his name into the club’s illustrious history.
Reds fans are already incredibly fond of him, singing his name with great affection. Overseeing a return to English football’s elite division would rubberstamp his place in their hearts.
But before then, it might be time for Forest to revisit the issue of his contract.
Putting the seal on a new one - a longer-term deal than the one-year he signed - would be a statement of intent from the club. And a rebuttal to anyone who might wish to tempt Lamouchi away.
