This time last year, the Premier League was gearing up for its biggest season yet. Sure, there was the obvious influx of talented players to England's shores, as there is every year. So what made it so special then?
Put simply, the greatest number of world-class managers in the one league that football has ever seen.
Guardiola and Conte ventured into unknown territory after successful careers in Spain, Italy and Germany; Mourinho returned to the competition that he has dominated three times before – but this time in the unusual colour of red; and Wenger, Klopp and Pochettino were preparing for another crack at glory.
But now that the embers of the 2016/17 season have turned to dust and all eyes are focused on the 17/18 campaign, how did the top-six managers fare? What did they do wrong? What did they do right? And what can they do to make sure they're champions next May?
Here are all those answers, team by team, in Tribalfootball's Tactical Review.
2016/17 summary
Chelsea's nearly immaculate campaign was the result of tireless, diligent working on the training field.
Antonio Conte's 3-4-2-1 formation shocked English football and, from September onwards, was simply too well organised for opponents to handle (training sessions under Conte aren't much fun).
David Luiz proved to be the perfect stepping-up defender, creating a flexible system that shifted regularly into a more attacking 4-3-3, particularly towards the end of the campaign when his covering skills allowed Cesc Fabregas to play further forward.
In fact, as the season progressed Conte became increasingly attack-minded, with two forwards used in a 3-5-2 when chasing the game and Fabregas given creative licence in the middle.
The Italian knows that the element of surprise will no longer be on their side in 2017/18 (already clubs have learnt that mirroring Chelsea's formation somewhat stunts it) and that Champions League football will further complicate things.
How to improve
Consolidation, and improving squad depth, are the main summer targets for Chelsea.
They urgently need reinforcements in the wing-back areas and in central midfield, as significantly more rotation will be necessary next year.
Juventus fullback Alex Sandro and Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko are expected to make big money moves to Stamford Bridge, and both would represent astute signings by the Blues.
A top-class striker is a must, and like Costa he must be someone capable of pressing from the front, working extremely hard for the team.
Then again, when you win the title with 93 points, there really aren't many things you need to change over the summer months.
