Stephen Robinson insists there was no doubt he would sign a new deal with St Mirren.
The Buddies boss and assistant Diarmuid O’Carroll put pen to paper on three-year contract extensions which keep them at the SMiSA Stadium until 2026.
The pair led Saints to a top-six finish this season for the first time in 38 years during a stellar campaign.
Now Robbo wants to ensure further progress in Paisley – and revealed his commitment to the club was absolute.
“I’m delighted and very grateful to the board and the fans for their support,” he told the St Mirren website. “Now it’s time to keep building and keep taking the football club forward.
“The contract was always going to get signed, there was a trust basis that we just wanted to finish the season and make sure we concentrated fully on that.
“I enjoy what we’re doing and enjoy the challenge of trying to defy the odds next season and get into that top six. The club has grown over the period we’ve been here.
“We’ve tried to put structures in place that maybe weren’t previously here that can take the club and make it sustainable in the higher reaches of this division.
“It’s about building the club and doing everything in our power to make us sustainable first and foremost and successful at the same time.”
Robinson heaped praise on trusted No 2 O’Carroll who himself was rumoured to be a managerial target for Belfast-based Northern Irish Premiership outfit Cliftonville.
“I thought it was very important that we got Diarmuid tied down as well on a longer-term deal as he’s been a part of the relative success we’ve had,” the gaffer continued.
“He’s a young, clever coach. He’s very bright on and off the pitch in terms of analysis and technical awareness as well.
“He’s working at international level which is great for St Mirren in terms of player contacts. I’m delighted we’ve got both contracts sorted and was very keen to make sure Diarmuid stayed alongside myself as well.”
Robinson has always highlighted the vital contributions of his small backroom team and says they have been a critical part of Saints’ success.
“I get the credit at times and the stick when it doesn’t go well,” he added. “It isn’t just one man that makes any football club successful, you surround yourself with good people.
“I think that’s the biggest thing we have here in Gerry Docherty, Jamie Langfield, Allan McManus, Garry McColl to name the ones that work close to me.
“That’s important for the football club. The guys we have need to be very good and go above and beyond in their jobs. Every one of them does that, and Diarmuid epitomises that.”
O’Carroll believes there are still plenty of good times ahead for the Buddies after committing his future to the club and said: “I’m absolutely delighted to extend my deal at St Mirren.
“It was a very straightforward process once the contract was offered. I’m extremely excited at the direction the club is going both on and off the pitch.
“I’ve loved my time at the club since joining last February and I’m confident that myself, the manager and the staff can continue to drive standards and hopefully maintain our progression on the pitch.”
Meanwhile, Saints have confirmed two further pre-season friendlies ahead of the start of the Viaplay Cup on Saturday, July 15.
The Buddies will travel to League Two Dumbarton on Tuesday, July 4 then visit Championship side Morton in a Renfrewshire derby at Cappielow on Saturday, July 8.
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