Andre Villas-Boas' rollercoaster career in football began at the age of 16 and after a conversation with legendary former manager Sir Bobby Robson.
The young Portuguese happened to be living in the same apartment block as the former Newcastle and Ipswich boss, and the two enjoyed an in-depth debate over Robson's squad at Porto.
Villas-Boas was soon appointed to the club's scouting department, the very first step on a ride full of twists and turns that would take him to Chelsea, Tottenham and currently to Marseille.
The French top-flight side hired the 42-year-old, who already boasts a decade of coaching experience, in an attempt to halt the creeping malaise that had claimed several victims - including former custodian Rudi Garcia.
Penning a two-year deal at the Stade Veledrome, Villas-Boas quickly set to work reviving Marseille's hopes of Champions League football - but his tenure endured a difficult start.
A shock defeat, albeit in pre-season, to lowly English outfit Accrington Stanley, immediately cast a thick cloud of doubt over the side, and a battering against Rangers just three days later ensured an unwanted period of horror for the new man at the helm.
It had also taken until the third fixture of the new Ligue 1 campaign for Marseille to record their first three points, having been on the wrong end of a reverse at home against Stade Reims and then held to a draw at Nantes.
The club have since steadily forged their way up the standings and remain on course to achieve a finish in the European spots come May, but Villas-Boas has already been forced to swipe away criticism so early into his reign.
And the wily tactician may already have used a trick copied directly from the playbook of his former mentor, Jose Mourinho.
Villas-Boas had described reigning champions and European powerhouse Paris Saint-Germain as contesting in 'a different league', in reference to the title winners' exorbitant riches.
Opposite number Thomas Tuchel retorted back after his side routed Marseille 4-0 in the season's first Classique rivalry in Paris, further fuelling tensions between the giants.
But following a further setback, which came in the form of a premature Coupe de la Ligue knockout, two consecutive victories fired the club into second spot and eight points behind PSG before the international break.
The manager had been visibly incensed at the manner his troops were dumped out of the domestic competition by strugglers Monaco, but his criticism may have in fact triggered a much-needed revival.
'The first half was disgraceful and we had a big talk at half-time. We said it was not possible and it's amazing to compare the first half with the second half,' Villas-Boas had said in the wake of the defeat.
'We can accept losing to PSG, given their quality, but not like this against Monaco.
'I wanted to win this cup, the team as well. It's a shame as the fans were there for us, from the first to the last minute. Now, we have to give something back to them.'
Villas-Boas' admission that he had targeted silverware in his first season in charge may have highlighted his side's underachievement, but also reassured supporters worried about their club's ambitions.
The poor results had understandably left sections of Marseille's fanbase concerned with the past record of the figure with the reins. Quite simply, Villas-Boas had flattered to deceive in several of his past management roles - and had even temporarily stepped away from the sport to take part in last year's Dakar Rally.
Spells with Chelsea and Tottenham resulted in sackings, with his contract at Stamford Bridge being terminated midway through his first season in the role. And despite clinching a cup double with Zenit Saint Petersburg in Russia, Villas-Boas arrived in southern France with plenty to prove.
And it was always going to prove an uphill challenge for the manager.
American owner Frank McCourt seized control of the day-to-day running of Marseille earlier this year and has long since viewed the club as an opportunity to establish an elaborate project in a highly-coveted location.
But his investment in improving the playing squad has notably dried up, made worse by the team's failure to clinch a spot in the Champions League for this term. Villas-Boas' decision to accept the job was in fact a gamble, and until recently it looked as though it had been an ill-judged one.
However, the back-to-back victories have placed a very different complexion on Marseille's campaign and the top-three finish and expected European finish now appear a genuine possibility.
Villas-Boas will have to battle against the odds to further stave off pressure in the short term, but the quality from the likes of Dario Benedetto and Dimitri Payet has provided the Portuguese's tenure with some much desired impetus.
There are concerns about the team's shaky back line, with Marseille typically shipping goals more often than a European-chasing outfit should allow. But the prowess on offer at the other end of the field has so far spared the club's blushes at crucial moments, and perhaps provides hope that competition for the division's top spots can be beaten away.
A further complication for Marseille's bid for Europe comes in the form of Angers, who have proved a surprise package this term. Despite a 13th-placed finish last season, Stephane Moulin has transformed the club into the unlikeliest of contenders, adding a further complication for Marseille's bid for Europe.
But Villas-Boas is determined to achieve his objectives, and if Marseille are able to secure Champions League football and continue to push PSG all the way to the finish line, then the manager may finally be able to defy the critics that have hounded him at every turn.