David Moyes' future as Sunderland manager will be decided in the coming days - and again he has hinted he could quit if owner Ellis Short does not make guarantees over investment.
The relegated Black Cats sign off from a miserable season at champions Chelsea on Sunday but it will be discussions elsewhere in the capital later in the week which have a far greater impact on their destiny.
Moyes wants assurances that Short - who has put the club up for sale - is willing to back him in the transfer market and the boss has used the example of North-East rivals Newcastle as the model to follow in winning promotion the season after going down.