Stuttgart coach Pellegrino Matarazzo described his feelings of "ecstasy" after his side's Bundesliga survival was secured with a last-gasp 2-1 final-day win over Cologne.
VfB were destined for a relegation play-off entering injury time on Saturday with the scoreline locked at 1-1, despite rivals Hertha Berlin trailing at Borussia Dortmund.
Stuttgart needed only one goal to be sure of Bundesliga safety and, with goalkeeper Florian Muller – whose error had put them in such peril – up for a corner, it belatedly arrived.
Wataru Endo headed the 92nd-minute winner that sparked scenes of mass celebration and condemned Hertha to the play-off – not that Matarazzo knew the identity of his hero amid the carnage.
The coach raced onto the pitch along with his substitutes – and Stuttgart mascot Fritzle, a giant, fluffy crocodile.
"I don't even remember who scored the goal," Matarazzo told Sky Sport. "I don't remember what happened.
"Suddenly, I only see that Fritzle is lying on me. It was a nice moment for all players, for all the fans and everyone part of the club."
Stuttgart were grateful to Dortmund for their role in the escape, with Hertha having led until past the hour mark at the Westfalenstadion, when the departing Erling Haaland equalised.
"The boys certainly noticed the result," Matarazzo said. "With every goal Dortmund scored, the players had more courage.
"It was an absolute goal of will at the end. I'm very happy for the boys."
He added: "I’ve got a headache after all that shouting and cheering. That was ecstasy, a great moment, outstanding. I'm so happy for the lads. You never forget a moment like today."
Rashford rubbishes 'nonsense' reports he is seeking £500k a week from Man Utd
Marcus Rashford has denied "nonsense" claims he is holding out for a huge £500,000-a-week deal to stay at Manchester United.
The England international, who has scored a career-best 27 goals in 44 games this campaign, is due to be out of contract at Old Trafford at the end of next season.
According to British publication the Daily Star, Rashford's United future is in limbo due to the ongoing sale of the club and his big wage demands.
However, the 25-year-old directly replied to the article on his personal Twitter page on Wednesday to deny that is the case.
"Just before this one starts to do the rounds! It's complete nonsense," he posted. "The club and make self [sic] have been respectful to one another, and that's how it will remain.
"My focus is purely on finishing as well as possible in the league and winning trophies."
Rashford added on Instagram: "Another non-story flying around about my advisors and me making demands. It's complete nonsense!
"My aim and the club's aims are to finish as high as possible in the league and to try and win a cup or two."
Rashford's goals tally this season has been bettered only by Kylian Mbappe (31) and Erling Haaland (42) among players across Europe's top five leagues.
He has spent eight seasons as part of United's first team since making his big breakthrough with two goals on his debut against Midtjylland in February 2016 as an 18-year-old.
Speaking last month, United manager Erik ten Hag confirmed the club are working on tying down the academy product to fresh terms.
"Of course [Rashford's new contract] is a priority," he said. "We are working on that. Just sit and wait. In the background. we are working hard."
Rashford missed England's two Euro 2024 qualifiers during the international window, but he is expected to be fit to feature against Newcastle United on Sunday.
Bayern Munich always favourites against Borussia Dortmund, claims Goretzka
Bayern Munich will always be favourites to beat Borussia Dortmund, with Leon Goretzka suggesting no team can face Die Roten at Allianz Arena and have the upper hand.
The two teams meet in their first game back from the international break in what could be the most decisive encounter of the Bundesliga title race this season.
Dortmund hold a one-point lead over their rivals, who dismissed coach Julian Nagelsmann and replaced him with former Black and Yellow boss Thomas Tuchel last week.
Speaking ahead of the crunch clash though, Goretzka insisted the visitors' advantage in the league table means nothing when they go to Allianz Arena, given the hosts' pedigree.
"We are ready," he told SportBILD. "We want the 11th championship in a row. To quote Kylian Mbappe, we are always favourites.
"When we play at home, there isn't a team we don't go into the game against as favourites. I think [the pressure] is great.
"I really enjoy these games. As a player, you don't want to be part of the team that can break this series [and miss out on another title win]."
Nagelsmann's departure, despite guiding Bayern to the title last term and the Champions League quarter-finals this year, is a gamble for the Bavarian giants.
But in Tuchel, they have a former Champions League-winning coach from his time at Chelsea, and Goretzka hopes he can help retain their Bundesliga crown.
"We all know and appreciate his successes," he added. "[We] have great respect for his achievements and experience."
Luis Enrique keen on Premier League job but Spurs move unlikely
Former Spain and Barcelona coach Luis Enrique wants to work in England but has seemingly ruled out replacing Antonio Conte at Tottenham.
Luis Enrique parted ways with Spain after the 2022 World Cup, which saw La Roja knocked out by Morocco at the last-16 stage.
He was replaced by Luis de la Fuente, who stepped up from the Under-21s, leaving Luis Enrique back on the market.
Links to high-profile jobs have been frequent ever since, but the club he appears to have been associated with the most is Spurs, who dismissed Conte on Sunday after a week of intense speculation suggesting his time was over.
While Luis Enrique was not directly asked about Spurs during his first major interview of the year, he did express a desire to work in the Premier League.
But the fact he does not expect to be working in England even as early as July suggests the Spurs job would be a non-starter.
"I would like to go to England to work," he told Radio SER Gijon.
"But I don't see myself in the Premier League in July because I would like to go to a team there that can do important things, and that is very difficult.
"I would not go to [just] any Premier League team."
The 52-year-old has also been among the big names linked with the Brazil job, which Tite vacated following the Selecao's unsuccessful Qatar 2022 campaign.
Luis Enrique confirmed he has received offers from national teams – Brazil not being one of them – but he seems less interested in returning to the international stage.
"I don't see myself coaching Brazil," he continued. "Another coach profile fits in there better than mine.
"They haven't called me. I don't know if my style fits the best with Brazil.
"I have had offers from national teams, but not from clubs. It would have to be a very important [national] team to take it, although it would be very difficult for me to face Spain. I don't know if I would be ready."
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