Roberto Mancini will be confident he can make an immediate impact as the new manager of Manchester City.
With City lying sixth in the Premier League table, six points adrift of fourth spot, the season remains very much alive despite Mark Hughes's sudden dismissal after a 4-3 home win over Sunderland on Sunday.
Mancini will know by the ruthless way in which Hughes was sacked that time will not be on his side as he aims to make a quick impression at Eastlands.
But with qualification for next season's Champions League still on the agenda, the former Inter manager could not wish for a better run of games as he adapts to his new role as a Premier League manager.
The 45-year-old Italian's first test is against mid-table Stoke City at home on Saturday followed by an away match at Wolves two days later.
Indeed, Mancini's first Premier League test against one of the so-called 'Big Four' is not until February 21 when City entertain Liverpool - the team they are trying to replace in English football's leading quartet.
Mancini, who steered Inter to three Serie A titles during a four-year stint in charge, could yet be walking out at Wembley on February 28.
For all City's stuttering league form under Hughes, the former Wales manager did manage to guide them to the semi-finals of the League Cup - a tournament that provided the club with their last major trophy back in 1976.
They face rivals Manchester United over two legs in January, a place in the final awaiting the winners.
As City fans come to terms with the dramatic events of Saturday, the speed of Hughes's sacking has stunned his managerial rivals.
Hughes lost only two league games - three fewer than United's Sir Alex Ferguson and five fewer than Liverpool's Rafael Benitez - this term.
Yet Hughes, who spent £130 million on players in the pre-season, paid the price for failing to deliver enough victories at the world's richest club.
Sunderland manager Steve Bruce, who played alongside former striker Hughes at Manchester United, described the decision to sack the Welshman 90 minutes after City's win over the Black Cats as "ridiculous".
Bruce said: "I haven't spoken to Mark but I've been made aware of the situation. It's ridiculous.
"We all need time, but when you see the stats, it's about 18 months (for a manager) in the Championship and slightly better in the Premier League because of Sir Alex and (Everton's) David Moyes."