Just a year ago, Eddie Howe was the king of Newcastle United after guiding the club to a remarkable Carabao Cup triumph over Liverpool at Wembley.
It was a victory meant to usher in a potential era of success. They were outstanding that day and, after years in the wilderness, they finally delivered a trophy for their devoted supporters to cheer.
Fast-forward to now, however, and Newcastle are a club in crisis. Make no mistake about it.
A season that started turbulently with the departure of star striker Alexander Isak continues to go from bad to worse. The Magpies have been shot down, with Brentford the latest team to inflict defeat.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
The Bees were tipped by many to be relegated this season, having lost manager Thomas Frank to Tottenham.
They also had to contend with the departures of Bryan Mbeumo and Youanne Wissa, who moved to Manchester United and Newcastle respectively.
But Brentford are flying, potentially into next season's Champions League. This latest victory means that, with 13 games left to play, they're just four points off fifth.
Brentford are flying towards European football in the wake of their victory over Newcastle
|PA
Newcastle got off to a dream start against Brentford, with Sven Botman heading home from a corner to spark wild celebrations from the home fans.
Yet Brentford, to their immense credit, came roaring back.
Vitay Janelet levelled for the visitors, with Igor Thiago proceeding to score a penalty in the first-half stoppage time.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Five facts about the Premier League | PA/GETTY/REUTERS/GBNEWSIt looked as though the hosts would clinch a point when Bruno Guimaraes scored a penalty after a foul inside the box.
But Brentford snatched a dramatic late winner, with their outstanding No 19 Dango Ouattara blasting past Nick Pope to stun the ground into silence.
For Newcastle, and manager Howe, this defeat will undoubtedly sting.
The numbers aren't looking good for the 48-year-old. His team are now winless in five. They have just one victory to their name from their last eight matches.
Despite Newcastle's chaotic summer, it isn't meant to be like this.
They did spend big, with Wissa, Nick Woltemade and Anthony Elanga all arriving with hopes that the trio would catapult them to new heights.
Eddie Howe's job is on the line after Newcastle's defeat to Brentford
|PA
Instead, all three men currently look lost. If the rut continues then Sandro Tonali, who was linked with a deadline day move to Arsenal, could be the latest player to pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
There's no denying that Howe has worked wonders at Newcastle ever replacing Steve Bruce in November 2021.
But, now, his job is on the line.
It would be a hard decision for the Toon higher-ups to make. Last year's Carabao Cup triumph, and regularly competing in the Champions League, means that he'll always be regarded as a club legend.
But the results speak for themselves. They're not good enough and, as ever in football, the manager will likely pay the price.