Paul Lambert claims taking Norwich from the bottom of League One into the Premier League in two seasons matches any of the achievements in his glittering career.
As a player Lambert won the Champions League with Borussia Dortmund, four Scottish titles with Celtic and played for Scotland 40 times.
But he is now the first manager to clinch back-to-back promotions to the top flight since Joe Royle took Manchester City up 11 years ago.
The Canaries squad watched third-placed Cardiff's first-half collapse against Middlesbrough in the evening's early kick-off, and then clinched second spot with a 1-0 win at Portsmouth.
"The magnitude of this is certainly right up there," said Lambert.
"Especially how we have done it, from League One to the Championship and then up again - it's up there, no doubt.
"As a manager you can't influence the field of play. As a player I played with some world-class players - I was the only bad one there.
"But to have a team like this and people who run for you week in, week out, has been colossal."
Skipper Grant Holt, who has spearheaded the promotion push with 22 goals, was full of praise for his boss.
"The manager has been fantastic. He's a motivator and has been great for us," he told Sky Sports News. "We've got a fantastic bunch of lads here. We've worked hard and I think when we're on it there's no-one better.
"We've a great team spirit and a great desire. It's a joy being with each other every day."
The Premier League seemed light years away for major shareholder Delia Smith and the Canaries board when they slumped to the bottom of the third tier on the opening day of last season, courtesy of a 7-1 drubbing by a Colchester team managed by Lambert.
City promptly lured him to Carrow Road and 20 months later Simeon Jackson's 50th-minute header sealed their return to the top table after a six-year absence.
Jackson certainly hit form at the right time with nine goals in his last seven matches helping Norwich roar over the finish line.
The striker used to play for Rushden and Gillingham, and will now be facing Manchester United and Chelsea next term.
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"It's been a magnificent effort by everyone," he said. "It's not down to me, its down to everyone throughout the season. I cant believe we've done it."
