Jim Duffy landed the Ayr United job on a full-time basis today after steering the Somerset ship back on course during his caretaker spell.
Duffy's four-game unbeaten run since the departure of David Hopkin has seen him secure the role until the end of the season.
He will continue with Dave Timmins as assistant manager and John Joyce and Derek Stillie as coaches.
But the hugely experienced boss admits his latest Championship chance was the furthest thing from his mind just a couple of months ago.
Duffy, 62, told the Ayrshire Post: "It was an awkward situation for me – I was close to David and friends with him.
"I didn't come here to be manager of Ayr United. I came to assist him and help the club improve.
"I spoke to David briefly once I knew there was the possibility of the job and he said he'd be delighted if that was the case.
"So I have to thank him for inviting me to the club because I wouldn't be stood here today were it not for him."
Duffy admits the chance to be back among Scotland's second tier was an opportunity too good to turn down after his interim spell in charge in recent weeks.
He said: "It was a no brainer for me – I love the job.
"When I was here as a coach under David, I thoroughly enjoyed it and I never expected this opportunity to arise.
"But when it did, I wanted to make sure that I made it a difficult decision for the board to make.
"Thankfully the chairman has given me the nod to go forward with it and I want to give it everything to be a success here.
"The Championship is probably the most competitive division in Scottish football, so this is a challenge that excites me.
"I've been in this league before and know how difficult it is. But we want to make sure every team playing Ayr United finds it difficult and knows they are in a game.
"When teams come up against us, they will have to be at their best to get something."
The off-field ambition of chairman David Smith is driving a narrative of positive times ahead at Somerset Park, and Duffy insists he sees plenty to like.
He said: "In football these days, everyone wants instant success.
"But speaking to the chairman, the board here is sensible enough and wants to make significant progress over a concerted period of time.
"The game and society is changing, so we have to move forward into the 21st century and I think Ayr United as a club are moving in that direction.
"As a manager, I don't think any of us can look too far into the future these days.
"But you can still look to introduce players, develop them and improve them. You can't just do that in a week or two."
Chairman Smith added: "Jim says he made it a difficult decision for us, but I think it was relatively easy.
"Since David Hopkin left, it has been a period of relative calm under Jim.
"He has been unbelievably professional and his enthusiasm has been there for all to see.
"Three wins and a draw speaks for itself.
"The club now has a calmness and a professionalism that hasn't been here for a while.
"We are really excited about this going forward.
"There's a positivity now that wasn't really there before and the football style has changed dramatically.
"We have an unbelievably experienced coaching staff in place and it's a winning formula."
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