'The Office: An American Workplace' broke the mould, capturing the essence of Ricky Gervais' original masterpiece, but moving forward to create its own legacy as a stone cold comedy classic.
Now, you must be wondering what on earth the fictional paper company Dunder Mifflin has got to do with the Premier League managers, and that's a fair question.
The answer? Characters. Both the US Office and the English top tier boast a wealth of wildly varying characters, fraught with flaws and complexities - the parallels between the two seemingly disparate institutions are simply crying out to be explored.
And so, allow us to whisk you off to Scranton, Pennsylvania, and present the alternative US Office star cast, with Premier League managers stepping into the iconic roles:
. Every Premier League manager and their US Office alter-ego
Every Premier League manager and their US Office alter-ego Photo: Emilio Andreoli
. Roy Hodgson - Phyllis Vance
This is an excellent fit, you have to agree. One of the more senior members of the office, Roy the boy would slip effortless into one of Phyllis' trademark thick-knit cardigans, bringing a delightful, motherly radiance to the workplace. Photo: IAN WALTON
. Sam Allardyce - Todd Packer
"Who's got two thumbs and drinks his wine by the pint? This guy!" Big Sam is tailor-made for the role of the earthy travelling salesman, who turns up at the branch periodically to mock and terrorise the staff. Photo: GLYN KIRK
. Marcelo Bielsa - Dwight Schrute
A perfect fit, simply perfect. Fact: Spygate is straight out of the Dwight Schrute playbook of chicanery. Fact: even on an appearance level, it's a solid fit. Does El Loco own a sixty-acre beet farm in Leeds? False: one would imagine... Photo: NIGEL FRENCH
. Thomas Tuchel - Kelly Kapoor
Sassy, flamboyant, a talker. Snap! "Yeah. I have a lot of questions. Number one: how dare you?!" is absolutely something you could see an enraged Tommy Tuchs roaring at a trembling member of officiating staff, while pursuing them down the tunnel. Photo: JOHN SIBLEY
. Carlo Ancelotti - Stanley Hudson
A raised eyebrow here, a sulky glare there. If Everton's Carlo Ancelotti wasn't a mastermind manager, he'd most likely be a paper salesman for Dunder Mifflin, counting down the days to retirement in Florida while blasting through crosswords. Photo: PETER POWELL
. Sean Dyche - Meredith Palmer
If any Premier League manager has it in him to photocopy his posterior at the office Christmas party, it's Burnley's Sean Dyche. He'd be right at home touring the top tier grounds in a van, heavy metal blasting ferociously out the windows Photo: PETER POWELL
. Jurgen Klopp - Bob Vance
Grinning ear to ear, a powerful, successful man of business - Jurgen Klopp is Bob Vance (Vance Refrigeration) all over. Expect to see Klopp Refrigeration take off once the charismatic German's coaching days are behind him. Photo: KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH
1. Roy Hodgson - Phyllis Vance
This is an excellent fit, you have to agree. One of the more senior members of the office, Roy the boy would slip effortless into one of Phyllis' trademark thick-knit cardigans, bringing a delightful, motherly radiance to the workplace. Photo: IAN WALTON
2. Sam Allardyce - Todd Packer
"Who's got two thumbs and drinks his wine by the pint? This guy!" Big Sam is tailor-made for the role of the earthy travelling salesman, who turns up at the branch periodically to mock and terrorise the staff. Photo: GLYN KIRK
3. Marcelo Bielsa - Dwight Schrute
A perfect fit, simply perfect. Fact: Spygate is straight out of the Dwight Schrute playbook of chicanery. Fact: even on an appearance level, it's a solid fit. Does El Loco own a sixty-acre beet farm in Leeds? False: one would imagine... Photo: NIGEL FRENCH
4. Thomas Tuchel - Kelly Kapoor
Sassy, flamboyant, a talker. Snap! "Yeah. I have a lot of questions. Number one: how dare you?!" is absolutely something you could see an enraged Tommy Tuchs roaring at a trembling member of officiating staff, while pursuing them down the tunnel. Photo: JOHN SIBLEY