Tommy Wright revealed it is belief in the future rather than nostalgia for the past that persuaded him to sign on for another four years at St Johnstone.
Wright may have a legacy to protect after helping give Saints supporters memories that will last a lifetime thanks to the Scottish Cup win against Dundee United a year and a half ago.
However, he was thinking of glories yet to come rather than previous heroics when he put pen to paper on a new contract extension at McDiarmid Park yesterday.
Wright, whose decision to remain in Perth until the summer of 2019 ends any hope United had of his filling their managerial vacancy, said: “We have worked extremely hard at this club to achieve what we have achieved so far.
“However, our chairman (Steve Brown) is ambitious and I am ambitious.
“With the group of players we have here I strongly believe there is a real opportunity for continued success. There is still work to be finished.
“One of the reasons why I wanted to extend is that I feel there is more to come from the team.
“You can mention what’s happened before but it doesn’t really bother me.
“Nobody can take away what we have achieved up till now but it’s the future that came into my thinking.
“To extend the deal until 2019 is a great vote of confidence in the job we are doing. I am very flattered by that.
“I am more than happy to stay. I don’t see it as lacking ambition.
“I know we have work to do and I see no reason why we can’t win another cup, for example.
“We can do it again and we have also enjoyed our trips into Europe and more of them would be nice.
“I think we have a great opportunity to continue that success.”
Wright was asked if moving to United was ever likely, given that the Tangerines did approach Saints seeking permission to speak to him.
He replied: “That was knocked back pretty early last week when the chairman made a statement.
“I was aware that he wasn’t going to entertain any level of compensation because I think he also sees there is work to be done here.”
The former Northern Ireland international goalkeeper was also keen to stress the prominent role his group of players played in helping him make up his mind.
He added: “They are probably the main reason behind my decision.
“There is a real bond between the players and myself. I enjoy working with them.
“I have said that if I were in the trenches and ready to go over the top the next morning then I would take every one of them with me. They are such a great bunch to work with.
“Mind you, they have been winding me up a bit. They have been asking when I was going.
“That’s the sort of relationship I have with them and there is togetherness at this club.
“Also, I would stress that the players have been the major part of the club’s success. They did help me win the Scottish Cup!”