Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur haven't quite finished their retrospective seasons just yet. 

The English Premier League giants have flown to Australia to face off in a glamour friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

That means Eddie Howe will lock horns with Ange Postecoglou once again, but it could've turned out so differently for the pair. 

Howe was heavily backed to become Celtic manager in summer 2021 following an extensive search to replace Neil Lennon.

And it appeared that the 46-year-old would take up that offer before a breakdown in negotiations resulted in Celtic appointing Postecoglou instead.

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That was a sliding doors moment for both bosses as Postecoglou went on to win five trophies during his time in Scotland before being lured by Spurs.

While, Howe was made Newcastle head coach in November 2021 and has since guided them to Champions League football. 

Despite the crossroads between the duo, Howe admitted the topic of the Celtic job hasn't come up with Postecoglou - who personally thanked the Newcastle gaffer for allowing him the chance to manage Celtic during an interview last September.

Speaking to News Corp Australia prior to Wednesday's blockbuster end of season clash in Melbourne, Howe said: "We’ve never discussed that. It’s always that kind of thing when you’re a manager and you’re looking at your next opportunity.

"I’ve had it myself where maybe certain things have happened, you think you’re going to miss out on a job, and then you get an opportunity that you don’t expect.

"It can change your life dramatically, and it can change your career. That has certainly happened for me here at Newcastle."