Sunderland boss Dick Advocaat struggled to hold back his tears after his side claimed the point they needed to secure their Premier League status with a 0-0 draw at Arsenal.
Sunderland moved four points clear of 18th-placed Hull with the result at the Emirates Stadium, and Advocaat, who has taken 12 points from his eight Premier League matches at the club, was emotional at the final whistle.
"For the club, it was unbelievably important that they stay up," Advocaat told Sky Sports. "You can see the way the team is working, in training and also during the game.
"We knew Arsenal would have possession in the game, but we also knew that if you keep trying, we get our chances as well. In the second half, we had three or four 100 percent chances and then you have to score.
"Arsenal were the better side, but our organisation was unbelievable and the emotion at the end was so high.
"Everyone can see what we are doing on the training ground and the results in the last six games have been so good. We have only lost one of the last six games and that is the reason why we deserve to stay in [the Premier League].
"It is an unbelievable feeling. The players did everything to stay up and the most important thing was that the players started believing. I tell them they are not at this club because they are nice guys, they are here because they are good players, and if you keep saying and give them their goals, even against better teams you can get the results."
Advocaat's future at the club remains uncertain as his current contract is due to expire this summer.
"I don't want to think further than tonight," said the Dutchman, who has been widely tipped to end his brief reign as the club's manager after Sunday's final game against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Meanwhile, Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe said he had been fearful that the club would drop down to the Championship.
"When that final whistle went, you can imagine the feeling," said the forward, who finished the game at Emirates Stadium playing as a makeshift left-back.
"This has been scary to be honest. You try to be relaxed but you are just crying out for the final whistle, and everyone was fantastic tonight. We needed to the result and we got it so credit to the boys."
Sunderland captain John O'Shea urged the club to build on their experiences and avoid another relegation battle next year.
"We have to get away from this," O'Shea said. "The fans deserve it, so fingers crossed we won't be doing this again next season. Stability is what this club needs and hopefully we can get that right."