Sunderland's Dick Advocaat was reduced to tears as Sunderland sealed survival in the Premier League.
The 67-year-old Dutchman was pushed over the edge of emotion by the sight of his long-time assistant Bert van Lingen in a similarly reduced state after the Black Cats secured the point they needed to stay up with a goalless draw at Arsenal.
Advocaat had nine games to save Sunderland from relegation when he replaced Gus Poyet after the Uruguayan was sacked by owner Ellis Short following the 4-0 home defeat at Aston Villa on 14 March.
The fact Advocaat achieved safety with a fixture to spare is another achievement on the CV of one of the game's most widely travelled and experienced managers - and gives Sunderland the chance to rebuild after their latest great escape.
The sight of Advocaat tearfully falling into the arms of his old friend and colleague Van Lingen in front of thousands of joyous Sunderland fans at Emirates Stadium showed how much keeping up Sunderland meant to him - and how much it has taken out of him.
Advocaat looked drained and delighted in equal measure in his post-match briefing, admitting it was the first time football had ever moved him to public tears.
Managing Sunderland has always had the capacity to reduce grown men to tears but it was a still a surprise to see a battle-hardened character renowned for occasionally employing the iron fist in an iron glove in such a condition.
He was hailed in a slightly X-rated song by Sunderland's supporters after the final whistle and he deserves huge credit for the manner in which he turned around a club and a team that looked locked on course for the Championship when he arrived on Wearside.
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