Manchester City expected that Pep Guardiola would take them to a next level as a club but they were given early evidence of this on their first pre-season tour when the manager slipped away to do some commercial work.
Here was a coach that was recognised across the world for his talent that global brands were paying significant fees to be associated with him.
Much of the success achieved by Guardiola at the Etihad has been down to recruitment, the signing of players who will not just perform on the pitch but won't rock the dressing room.
When you compare the current squad to their Old Trafford neighbours, it is like chalk and cheese. Erling Haaland is very likely City's biggest signing since they landed Guardiola; they have had many wonderful players at the club and still do, yet the phenomenon of Haaland is such that he is the exception to Txiki Begiristain's rule in already being a global superstar before he arrives.