Neil Warnock has admitted that he is still coming to terms with his record-breaking achievement of guiding Cardiff City to Premier League promotion.
The 69-year-old pulled off the promotion feat for an eighth time - and third to the Premier League - thanks to Sunday afternoon's goalless draw with Reading, seeing his side finish two points above third-placed Fulham.
Warnock's men were not fancied to challenge for a place in the top flight this season after finding themselves in relegation trouble when the veteran manager took charge 18 months ago, while accusations of route-one football have also had to be fended off throughout.
In the wake of what he describes as his "biggest achievement in football", the Yorkshireman was quick to thank supporters for getting the side over the line and says that he is still coming to terms with this latest success.
"I know we're not easy on the eye but, if I was paying as a Sheffield lad, I'd know I was getting my money's worth," he told Sports Mole. "We knew we were going to get criticised at times, but what more can I ask for as a manager. It hasn't truly sunk in yet and I haven't been able to have a drink - I'd be drunk in about five minutes!
"I've never seen a crowd like that - before and during. It's great for Wales with this being the capital. We have to entertain and enjoy the next part."
Cardiff join Wolverhampton Wanderers in making it to the Premier League automatically, avoiding the end-of-season lottery of the playoffs.
Warnock also confessed that finishing in second place, having bettered Fulham's result against Birmingham City, comes with the added bonus of an extended break ahead of the Bluebirds' Premier League campaign next time around.
"The best aspect is having an extra three weeks' rest because I'm cream crackered at the minute," he added. "It's not rocket science - we will be odds-on favourites to go down next season, just like we weren't expected to go up this season. It's lovely to prove the bookies wrong.
"It's been a long week for us since the Hull City match - we could have done with this game the day after, really. The lads have been good in training and it was good to come through and get the result we needed. This has got to be the best thing I have achieved in football. I know we're going to get one or two things thrown at us next season, but it's better than playing in the Championship.
"This is the best one by a mile because of what I have had to do off the field as well as on it - it's a magnificent feat. If things didn't go right today and we ended up in the playoffs, it would still have been a terrific achievement for the players. I'm happy to have made supporters proud to be Bluebirds; people want to come and watch us now."
Warnock's previous two promotions to the Premier League came during his time with Sheffield United and Queens Park Rangers.
Daniel Lewis
