Given Antonio Conte's rapid success as manager of Chelsea, it's hard to imagine any other manager prowling the touchline at Stamford Bridge and having the same effect as the full blooded Italian.
However, an equally charismatic and energetic coach almost bagged the job before the former Italy and Juventus boss.
In 2015, Conte was still putting into place the plans that would eventually see him guide an unfancied Italian national team to an unlikely quarter-final place at Euro 2016.
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Conte's touchline celebrations have become a regular occurrence at Stamford Bridge, this season...
At that point, it was relatively unclear who would become the next Chelsea boss after Jose Mourinho's departure, with Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone both thought to be the frontrunners to take over the role at the end of the 2015/16 campaign.
As well as the aforementioned Tottenham and Atletico Madrid managers, then Chile boss and current Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli was believed to be among the favourites for the Stamford Bridge hotseat, having just guided 'La Roja' to their first Copa America title.
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The 57-year-old has now admitted he held talks with Abramovich about succeeding Jose Mourinho, who had just been relieved of his duties in December 2015 after a dreadful start to the Blues' Premier League title defence.
The Argentinean has become one of the most sought after managers in world football over the past few years. Image: PA
In an interview with The Sun, Sampaoli relived the turbulent period of events that saw him leave his position as coach of the Chilean national team.
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"It was like a tsunami of events, a really turbulent period. The Chilean Federation wanted to keep me no matter what.
"But I explained I could not stay as there was a chance of becoming Chelsea manager.
"I had other options but when Mr [Roman] Abramovich came to talk I was high on his list and then came the decision to go with [Antonio] Conte."
The Italian has worked wonders in a short space of time, thanks in no small part to the signing of N'Golo Kante. Image: PA
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Instead, Sampaoli ended up becoming Sevilla manager, guiding 'Los Blanquirrojos' to the last 16 of the Champions League and to fourth in La Liga table, where they currently sit just a point behind Atletico Madrid in third place.
"I'll be taking your job, cheers pal." Image: PA
It is believed Sampaoli, who won the 2015 South American Coach of The Year award for his Copa America winning exploits with Chile, is one of the favourites to take over from outgoing Barcelona manager Luis Enrique, this Summer.
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(H/T Metro)
Topics: Chile, Football, Chelsea FC, Antonio Conte