Vinny Perth was part of the Dundalk players’ WhatApp group until they kicked him out when he got the top job.
And while he expects to be the butt of their jokes these days, he sees it as a mark of respect.
But winning trophies is what will enhance his reputation and tonight Perth chases his first as Dundalk boss - not that he sees it that way.
“I don't want to undervalue the work I've done here for the last six years by saying it's my first trophy,” said Stephen Kenny’s former right hand man.
“It's not my first trophy and I don't see it that way. But I’m hungry and I want to win trophies. I believe this team can achieve so much.
“But the teams will go at each other. They’ve been titanic battles this year and it's set up to be a brilliant game and it’s arguable who the favourites are.
“The game is sold out and we expect the Brandywell to be really loud. We're going to have to go into the lion's den and take it on.”
Derry won the domestic treble in 1989/99 and Dundalk hope to emulate them for the first time.
They clinched a double last year but took their eye off the ball in the semi-final of this competition, losing to First Division Cobh.
Perth won’t ban in-house talks of trebles, claiming it’s good to openly discuss goals and objectives.
“It would be wrong to say it hasn’t been mentioned, but you’d be left with egg on your face if you say it too loud,” he said.
“Our No. 1 goal is the league but we’re still in all the cups and we’ll see where that takes us.
“Trebles, doubles and winning leagues is great and this trophy can be a catalyst for teams.
“I won it as a player with Longford Town and we went on to do the FAI Cup double. I gives players the belief that they can win trophies.
“But it’s too early to be talking about trebles - we’ve got a bit of work to do. This is one of the legs of the stool as such, the players are very determined to win this trophy.”
Dundalk are on a superb 26-game unbeaten run in domestic competition and have not lost at the Brandywell since 2012.
They also knocked Declan Devine’s side out of the recent FAI Cup quarter-final after a thrilling 3-2 extra-time win on their travels.
Perth and Devine learned their trade under Stephen Kenny having served as his assistants at Dundalk and Derry respectively.
Perth added: “Myself and Declan, even though we have our own styles, are two students of the so-called Godfather of Irish football.
“The two clubs are interlinked through Jim McLaughlin and Stephen Kenny, two of the greatest managers of all time.
“I worked for Derry for a season under Stephen as his match analyst when Declan was there and there are a lot of similarities in the styles we play.
“You wonder has Stephen's influence left a mark on us, but I'd like to think we’re both individually driven.”
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