Grand final-bound Sydney FC have given interim coach Patrick Kisnorbo the nod to continue at the helm on a three-year deal.
The Sky Blues had undergone a global, two-month search when Ufuk Talay left his post in March, but no candidate could eclipse Kisnorbo.
Former trophy-winning Melbourne City boss Kisnorbo was handed the interim role with four regular-season games left, but wasted no time in making the most of his A-League Men return.
After a hard-earned semi-final win over premiers Newcastle, the 45-year-old will coach just his seventh game at the helm of the Sky Blues - Saturday's grand final against Auckland FC.
This weekend's decider at Go Media Stadium in New Zealand will be the club's record-equalling eighth grand-final appearance.