Hamilton legend Alex Neil is set for discussions with the Sunderland board after earning promotion to the English Championship.
The boss from Lanarkshire has had play-off success at Accies and Norwich City, adding the Black Cats to that list with a 2-0 final victory over Wycombe Wanderers at Wembley on Saturday.
It ends the Stadium of Light side's four-year stay in League One as Neil inspired them over the finishing line via an 18-game unbeaten run after taking over in February.
A return to England's second tier now awaits following his exit from Preston North End in 2021.
Not wanting to manage in League One long-term, Neil is set to talk with the Sunderland board about what comes next.
He told Sky Sports: "For me, coming to a job like this in League One, I don't want to manage in League One.
"I had to try to get the club out of League One, to become a Championship manager again, under a lot of pressure and scrutiny. But with a group of players like that, it's not a problem.
"There's a lot of discussions to take place between me and the hierarchy, the owners and all that sort of stuff. I'm sure that'll take place in the next couple of days.
"Whatever happens next happens next. But I want to be at Sunderland, be here and take it forward. There's massive scope for us to go, but we need to understand we're going to a new level.
"I know people will expect we're not a Championship team, in the same way I've been told a million times we're not a League One team.
"But there's a lot of hard work that goes into that, to get you into that level."
Neil is a legend at New Douglas Park after a lengthy stint in red and white as a player, alongside a memorable two-year stay as manager that resulted in promotion to the Premiership eight years ago.
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