Tonda Eckert could be forgiven for thinking football management is easy. Southampton's 5-1 demolition of Charlton Athletic became Eckert's third successive win since taking over from Will Still as interim manager.
In the pre-match press conference on Friday, BBC Radio Solent's Adam Blackmore asked the young German coach whether he was auditioning for the full-time position. The board had given Eckert three more matches (including Charlton away) to manage as interim.
Eckert dodged the question by focusing Blackmore's attention back on to preparations for the Charlton match and he looked slightly irritated when asked a follow-up question about his discussions with Sport Republic about the role.
One senior player gives his opinion on Eckert
The players, specifically Ryan Manning, have been effusive in their praise of the young coach. Manning pointed out that Eckert had not changed much, just tweaked a few things.
It may have been poetic justice then when Manning arrived at the far post to head in Saints' opening goal at the Valley on Saturday. Tom Fellows stood up a cross after creating space for a cross tight to the goalline and Manning needed no second invitation. His fierce header crashed in off the underside of the bar to set Southampton on their way.
Eckert had clearly made further tweaks during the international break and despite only making one change to the team that beat Sheffield Wednesday in their last game, there were some noticeable differences to the style and patterns of Southampton's play.
Eckert made these 3 subtle tweaks at Charlton
Southampton's Under-21 captain, Cameron Bragg, was brought into the side for his full debut. This allowed Eckert to play with a double pivot but gave Caspar Jander greater licence to get forward. The first benefit of Bragg's inclusion was to provide extra protection for the back three and to link play with the wide midfielders.
The second benefit of the youngster's inclusion was to provide insurance for Jander, who likes to get forward into the opposition box. Jander's second goal in as many games was further vindication of Eckert's decision to include Bragg.
Eckert's second tweak was to have Adam Armstrong dropping deeper to receive the ball in his own half rather than always running in behind.
As a result, Armstrong was more involved in the build up play and able to pick out the runs of players making forward runs from deep.
Both of Armstrong's assists were beautifully threaded balls, first for Jander to slot home Saints' third and then for Finn Azaz to round the keeper before making it 4-0.
Eckert's final tweak was to accelerate the speed of attacking transitions. Whether it was Scienza driving with the ball through the middle, or Tom Fellows making ground down the right, Southampton's attacking transitions were both lightning quick and extremely direct.
Eckert is smashing his audition
Now, Southampton fans will believe anything is possible under Eckert. Three wins in a row may already be enough to convince Sport Republic to give up on their search for an external appointment and just go with the man who is doing such a good job.
Whilst many still believe that the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Carlos Corberán could be better long-term appointments than the rookie, few can argue that Eckert is really impressing during his stint as interim.
If the young German coach continues to impress and get results, there will be many (including oneself) who could be eating humble pie in May 2026.