Frank de Boer has turned up the heat on underfire Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers after suggesting he would be interested in undertaking the role at the Anfield helm in the future, though at the right time for him.
The Ajax boss, whose side currently sit top of the Eredivise table with an unbeaten record, has won four titles in the last five years with the Dutch club and is understood to be looking for a new venture at the end of the current season.
Whilst the de Godenzonen remain his priority for the forseeable future, his comments to the BBC’s World Service seem to suggest he is keeping a close eye on the current proceedings on Merseyside.
He said that the prospect of leaving Amsterdam to coach elsewhere "comes closer" every year and suggested he is looking for "another adventure" at the end of this season.
He added that, at that time, if there is an "interesting club" with a vacant position - which he believes he can "make better" then he will "take that chance."
De Boer's desire to work in the Premier League has seen him linked with several jobs, including Newcastle United - who are currently managed by Steve McClaren but remain winless seven games in.
Asked about the two clubs, the former Netherlands international hailed both Newcastle and Liverpool as "fantastic clubs" and spoke highly of their supporters and the "fantastic environment" they help to create.
But the 45-year-old attempted to dismiss any current speculation by declaring it an "important" year to "do well" at Ajax, saying he "will see" after that period where his future lies.
Dutchman emerges as potential Rodgers replacement
De Boer was originally approached for the vacant managerial position at Liverpool in 2012, but deemed it too soon to leave Ajax, before Fenway Sports Group eventually opted to appoint Rodgers.
Despite a promising first season, in which his side improved with each week and made two sensational acquisitions in January to give them a boost in the second half of the season, and a tremendous second campaign - where Rodgers' side fell just three points short of a first league title since 1990, he has since become a vastly unpopular figure on L4.
He survived an intense end-of-season review at the end of last term after his side's campaign petered out in dramatic fashion, losing 6-1 at Stoke City in the final game and being convincingly knocked out of the FA Cup semi-finals by Aston Villa, but has struggled to inspire the Reds to much better form so far this season.
With just three wins from 10 games inside 90 minutes in all competitions this season, Rodgers steadily seems to be edging towards the exit door - with performances levels as dour as they have ever been under the 42-year-old.
A monumental derby against Everton awaits Rodgers and co. this Sunday and though reports have yet to be confirmed or dismissed by any reliable sources, murmurings have began to suggest that the Reds boss could be sacked regardless of the result or the performance at Goodison Park.
Should he be sacked, supporters on Merseyside have recently clamoured for the likes of more established success stories such as Carlo Ancelotti and Jurgen Klopp, who are both currently out of work, but de Boer could emerge as another potential option given the fact the owners previously approached him a few years ago.
Would De Boer be the right man?
One potential stumbling block, should FSG reignite their interest in de Boer, could be whether he is willing to desert Ajax mid-way through the campaign.
But with reports suggesting that Klopp is unlikely to be put on their shortlist, with insiders having warded them off approaching him for his passionate personality, and the possibility of Ancelotti - who has thus far managed sides more ready-made for success than Liverpool's current squad - rejecting their advances, de Boer becomes a realistic alternative.
Whether his appointment would appease supporters is a different matter, but there is no doubting that his methods and tactics - which entail entertaining, highly energetic attacking football as well as defensive solidity and a pressing work ethic, would match that of the qualities which FSG are looking to see from a manager.
There are doubts over whether de Boer - who was also a target for Tottenham Hotspur before Mauricio Pochettino became boss - could translate his successful philosophies over to England, particularly given his mediocre record in Europe, with Ajax having won just 12 of the 32 games he has managed in continental competitions.
That said, with Klopp and Ancelotti perhaps ambitious targets to be next Liverpool boss, there is every chance that de Boer could be high on their radar and whilst he may not be the glamorous name supporters are crying out for, his appointment would make sense in more ways than one.