Neil Warnock secured his position as king of the promotions on Sunday as he led Cardiff to the Premier League to become the first manager in English football to win eight career promotions.
Warnock has guided unfashionable Cardiff to the Premier League promised land after a final day draw with reading saw them pip Fulham to the second automatic promotion spot in the Sky Bet Championship.
Warnock’s seven previous promotion successes saw him share the record with Dave Bassett, Graham Taylor and Jim Smith, but he moved out on his own with his latest, and perhaps greatest achievement.
Cardiff have instantly been installed as the 10/11 favourites for Premier League relegation next season, but Warnock will not care one bit after defying the odds to get the Bluebirds into the top flight.
Here’s a look at Warnock’s eight great promotion stories.
Scarborough 1986-87
Warnock created history by leading Scarborough into the Football League for the first time in their history. Scarborough finished six points clear of Barnet to win the Conference title - the first team to win automatic promotion to the Football League after the re-election system was abolished.
Notts County 1989-90
In his first full season at Notts County, Warnock took them up from the old Third Division via the play-offs. County had finished behind the two Bristol clubs after 46 games, but they beat Bolton 3-1 on aggregate before overcoming Tranmere 2-0 in the Wembley final to reach the second tier.
Notts County 1990-91
County ended a seven-year wait for top-flight football as Warnock clinched a second consecutive promotion with more play-off success. After finishing the league programme in fourth place, County saw off Middlesbrough in the semi-final before beating Brighton 3-1 at Wembley.
Huddersfield 1994-95
Warnock took the play-off route again to get Huddersfield promoted from the third to the second tier. The Terriers had finished fifth - the last of the play-off teams - but second-placed Brentford were beaten on penalties before a 2-1 final victory over Bristol Rovers.
Plymouth 1995-96
Warnock immediately decamped to Plymouth and the fourth tier after Huddersfield's promotion. He weaved his magic again as Plymouth were promoted through the play-offs after finishing fourth, seeing off Colchester in the semi-final before the Devon club marked their Wembley debut with a 1-0 win over Darlington.
Sheffield United 2005-06
Having missed out on promotion in the 2002-03 play-offs, Warnock guided his boyhood club back into the top flight after a 12-year absence. Reading claimed a record 106 points to run away with the title, as the Blades finished 11 points clear of Watford to secure the second automatic promotion spot.
QPR 2010-11
Warnock equalled the managerial record of seven promotions as Rangers ended a 15-year hiatus from the Premier League. Rangers kept a league-high 25 clean sheets to hold off the challenge of Norwich and win the Championship title by four points.
Cardiff 2017-18
Cardiff were 23rd in the Sky Bet Championship when Warnock was appointed in October 2016. Warnock guided Cardiff to mid-table safety in his first season before he mounted a promotion campaign which saw the Bluebirds hold off the challenge of Fulham to finish second behind champions Wolves.