The hardy 273 supporters who had gathered in South Wales to watch a goalless first half between two struggling sides would have been hard pressed to predict one of the managers would be taking points off Juventus and Aston Villa in the Champions League less than three years later.

Haverfordwest County in the Welsh Premier League is an unlikely outpost for a Belgian boss keen to test himself abroad and build his management CV. But, at their modest Bridge Meadow Stadium, a long way from the glitz and glamour of European nights, Nicky Hayen was overseeing an ultimately successful fight for survival.

The current Club Brugge boss will be taking on Pep Guardiola and Co tonight. In March 2022, Cefn Druids were his opposition. The goalless first half transformed into a 6-1 home win after the break, a record Welsh Premier League victory for the hosts.

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Hayen had arrived in Wales on New Year's Eve 2021 after managerial spells in the lower leagues of Belgian football. He joined a side second bottom and facing the drop.

By the time the season finished, they only just missed out on a play-off place for Europe after a stunning revival.

“The turnaround of results was incredible but more so how he managed to get these players to play in a certain way that I didn’t think they had in them," said then Haverfordwest chairman Edwards, speaking in 2023.

Hayen had made an impact. “There was something about him, a presence,” said Edwards. “We always knew he would manage at the very top."

His spell in Wales lasted just six months before Club Brugge came calling with a job offer to manage the Under-23s side. It was too good an opportunity for Hayen, whose family had remained in Belgium, to turn down. Less than two years later he was in caretaker charge of the first team, leading them to the title.

A permanent appointment followed and this season he has masterminded Champions League wins over Aston Villa and Sporting Lisbon as well as draws with Juventus and Celtic. Brugge are not quite assured of a play-off spot just yet but the odds are in their favour.

If Hayen can guide his team to a result at the Etihad, he'll end City's European interest altogether. Real Madrid or Bayern Munich could come next. From Pembrokeshire to playing Pep to a potential play-off showdown, it would represent some journey.