It could have been so different if Spurs didn't make the change and appoint Roberto De Zerbi.
The Italian was always confident he would keep Spurs up, but as West Ham secured a late win over Everton, just as Xavi Simons was being stretchered off with an ACL injury, many feared the worst.
To his huge credit, he remained genuinely confident in the final weeks and fully deserves the opportunity to rebuild Spurs in his own way.
That rebuild is well under way. and a deal for Marcos Senesi should also be confirmed in a few weeks when his Bournemouth contract expires. Interest remains in Manchester City's Savinho after Spurs failed to land him last year as Pep Guardiola decided to keep the Brazilian.
The winger is reportedly very keen on the move and feels he's not had enough opportunities to show his qualities in Manchester.
Spurs over the last two seasons have been too easy to beat. It is little surprise their first two signings are likely to be at the back, and they could be joined by Jan Paul van Hecke as talks with Brighton continue after an initial bid was rejected.
Brighton are tough negotiators but with a year left on his contract, this could be one that goes the way of the north London side. De Zerbi holds a close bond with many of his ex-Brighton players and has said to me they're his children.
With the potential incomings, some will leave, too. Radu Dragusin wants first-team football but with no Europe, a move away this summer is considered possible. Plenty in Serie A have showed tentative interest. If the fee was right that wouldn't be a difficult deal to do.
The same cannot be said for the club captain Cristian Romero. The 'will he' or 'won't he' attend the final match was an unwelcome distraction with relegation on the line and there are some who feel this summer might be the right time for the Argentine to move on if a suitable offer was received.
De Zerbi said he understood the fans' anger "100 per cent" when asked about his potential absence for the final home game.
On his day, there aren't many better than Romero. I saw first hand just how much he wound up Harry Maguire in the Europa League final. He has the bite and nastiness never really associated with Spurs. But the red cards and injury record mean there is a question mark over his future and perhaps it was a slight surprise he signed a contract extension last season.
There are many supporters who feel Romero has more than one eye on Argentina most of the time and isn't fully committed to Spurs. He would deny this, of course, and was a passionate spectator in home matches against Leeds and Everton.
De Zerbi says Micky van de Ven is the best left-sided defender in the league. The Netherlands defender was growing frustrated prior to De Zerbi's appointment but enjoyed the last two months under him. He has three years left on his deal and would take a big offer to tempt Spurs.
One of De Zerbi's biggest decisions will be a player who's yet to play a competitive game for the club yet has interest from many of Europe's top clubs: Luka Vuskovic.
Last season, the Croatian enjoyed a brilliant season on loan at Hamburg and scored six goals in a season of invaluable development in one of the main leagues in Europe.
To some, it's a no brainer he's integrated into the first-team squad but there are some who feel one more loan would do him good in the long run. No European football might be the deciding factor. It's a good problem to have for De Zerbi.
This summer the message is clear. Spurs wanted De Zerbi and they're prepared to back him. Previous window failings lead to scepticism from supporters, but it's been a busy start to a transfer window that has yet to officially open.
Encouraging signs...
