Alex Neil was clutching a can of Budweiser outside Sunderland's Wembley dressing room and vowed to down several more during 48 hours of celebration for sealing promotion to the Championship.
But rather than remain drunk on their success, it will be time for sober judgment and serious discussion with the owners this week.
Neil stopped short of threatening to quit the club he joined in February but his message was as clear and crisp as the lager he was drinking.
'I want to be at Sunderland,' he said. 'I want to take it forward.