Michael O'Neill's first words to Stoke City were: "Where do I sign?"
Well, almost.
His desire for the job, his passion, even, was what struck Stoke's hierarchy most.
While the likes of Chris Hughton and Alex Neil were saying "maybe" or "let's see" before eventually adding "not right now" or "thanks, but no thanks," O'Neill was adamant from the very start he wanted the job.
They already knew his credentials, principally his work as Northern Ireland manager since 2011, but what they wanted to know was just how much he wanted the job.
That desire, they felt, was crucial to any man taking on Stoke City in the club's current predicament.
Lose at Barnsley this afternoon and they could find themselves nine points adrift of safety if other results go against them.
That is not a scenario for the half-hearted and O'Neill assured them he was going into the task of saving Stoke from relegation with his eyes wide open and his heart 100 per cent into the job.
The club's hierarchy acknowledge his lack of club experience after only previously managing Brechin City in Scotland and Shamrock Rovers in Ireland - and being involved in international football for the last eight years.
But what has impressed them about O'Neill when looking from afar is his evident ability to field an organised, disciplined and spirited team which has so frequently won, or not lost, against the odds.
Such qualities, they believe, will be crucial to this Stoke side in this predicament.
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