That's possibly a very good analogy, Man City had a plan and spent a lot of money on backroom staff while they were climbing the League, improving the squad and changing managers.
They also bought players that actually would fit into a Pep system a year or two before he came - in preparation / hope they would get him.
In comparison the behind the scenes decision making at NUFC appears to be shambolic?
I've said it before but Emery was a fantastic target with a real pedigree of success at qualifying and competing in European football.
Failing to get him because you were leaking to the press he was inbound is bad enough - but on which footballing planet do you "have a plan, build infrastructure, want to hire Emery as your first coach - then when you miss out Howe is next in line?!"
It makes absolutely no sense unless you accept that there is no one person or management team in place with experience of top flight football making the footballing decisions.
Just like QPR.