Manchester United's decision to sack Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in late 2021 spelled the opportunity for a fresh start amid a dreadful season.
In came Ralf Rangnick, a highly-regarded tactician who arrived at Old Trafford as interim boss with a depth of experience managing in Germany since 1983.
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Rangnick won three of his opening four Premier League matches and suffered just a single defeat across his first ten in all competitions, but form quickly took a nosedive.
Following a 4-0 defeat to rivals Liverpool, he reiterated the club's issues: "It is embarrassing, it is disappointing, maybe even humiliating. We have to accept they [Liverpool] are six years ahead of us now."
Just a month later and after FA Cup and Champions League exits, Rangnick left United with a win percentage of just 38 and on 58 Premier League points, the worst tally in the club's history.
talkSPORT's Jason Cundy labelled the club's decision to hire Rangnick as 'one of the worst decisions the Premier League has ever seen,' and Cristiano Ronaldo said he never viewed him as 'boss'.
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But since then, the 65-year-old has discovered newfound success with the Austria national team, a side he will manage at Euro 2024.
He was appointed during the final weeks of his tenure at United in April 2022, signing a two-year deal that saw him not take up his planned consultancy role at Old Trafford.
It seems as though Rangnick was quick to make an impression, with The Athletic reporting not long after his appointment that the players had 'completely bought' his ideas.
“I have known Ralf since I was 18 years old, and he is a world-class coach,” said senior international David Alaba. “What he did in the past is something special and now I am seeing it close up.
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"He showed what he can do at Leipzig, Salzburg and Hoffenheim. He didn’t have a lot of time in Manchester. He has a really good plan and knows a lot about football.”
“I don't know Cristiano Ronaldo personally. I have no idea what got into him there,” midfielder Xaver Schlager added.
“Everyone knows how much influence [Rangnick] had in Austria, at RB Leipzig and also in Salzburg.
“He was successful everywhere. He is a very great professional who has also changed football a bit.”
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Despite relegation from the UEFA Nations League A, qualification for Euro 2024 was secured with relative ease as Austria won six of their eight games in Group F.
Austria finished just a point behind unbeaten Belgium and ten clear of Sweden to book their spot in Germany, their third consecutive Euros tournament.
Since qualification was secured, they have beaten the Euro 2024 hosts, Slovakia and Turkey in international friendlies this season.
Rangnick has now won 12 of his 20 games in charge, a win rate of 60 per cent that is a significant improvement on his record at United.
Given such success on the international stage, it comes as no surprise that the manager has been the subject of interest at club level again.
With Bayern Munich bidding farewell to Thomas Tuchel at the end of the season, Rangnick emerged as a rumoured name to replace his compatriot.
Taking on the role at the German giants is one of the biggest jobs in world football give their immense domestic and European success.
However, Rangnick's recent address of the speculation will come as music to the ears of Austria and its fans ahead of the summer.
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"No," he recently told SPORT1 reporter Stefan Kumberger when asked if he had spoken to Bayern about the upcoming vacancy.
"Why should I? I feel comfortable here. I still have a contract until 2026 and our goal and our path will continue after the Euro."
Those rumours have since ramped up again though and talks are reported to have taken place.
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Austria's task at Euro 2024 is far from easy, with Poland, the Netherlands and France all tough opponents in Group D.
However, it could still prove to be a memorable tournament for them under Rangnick, who has shown he can still compete at the top level despite the difficulties he faced at Manchester United.