I might even go on as long as Robbo

“I don't know how it finished 2-1 - it could have been 6-6,” said the Sunderland boss after the game. “Both sides had chances. We had the better chances to start with, then Burnley scored a goal that was disappointing from our point of view.

“We got back into the game with an equaliser and I thought we were the better side in the first half. In the second half Burnley were perhaps better but Kevin Kyle came on and got his goal.”

On the season as a whole he added, “It's gone as well as we could have hoped. I don't know whether you could say we expected it, though. Sometimes you set off more in hope than in anticipation but we have done really well.

“Obviously we would have liked to finish first or second but I think that maybe third was our rightful place over the course of the season. I have been very pleased with how far we have come this season. It would be a bit of a cliché to say that we haven't achieved anything yet, but our aim is to get promoted and if we do that then that will be a real achievement."

For Stan it was his last post match conference as Burnley manager and he was clearly overcome with the magnificent send off from the fans.

He started by explaining why he was leaving. “It’s all quite simple really, the Board of Directors and the Chairman didn’t offer me a new deal.

“They told me on Bank Holiday Monday the contract wasn’t to be renewed and as long as everyone is aware, under no circumstances did I want to leave Burnley and you’ve probably seen the reason why with the reception today.

“I’d like to go on record first of all to thank the supporters for their unequivocal support today and for all the six years, through thick and thin.

“They are the best supporters in the country and I have been very to have had the opportunity to manage a club like Burnley.”

He continued, “Obviously, in private, I have thanked my staff, Sam, Ronnie, Doc, Sos and the rest of them. It has been a rocky ride and we were good although in the last two years less than I would have hoped.

“Nevertheless I consider it to have been an achievement to have taken us from what I inherited to where we are now. I said when I came that I would leave the club better than how I found it and I think I’ve done that.

“It’s a sad day but in many ways the reception I had at the end is something that will live in my memory forever.”

He then added, “I’m really pleased that we did stay up because, on a lighter note, if for staying up you get the bullet then for going down it could have been a public execution.

“The Chairman has been good to me though and we have had a fantastic relationship. Why he has done it only he will know but he’ll have his reasons and I have to respect them.

“I wish Burnley Football Club every success in the future and I’m looking for another job now because I have another ten years left in me yet. What has happened to me has given me such a buzz it is like getting an injection up the backside and I want to have a job again as quickly as possible. Hopefully I can bring a team back to Turf Moor in the future.

“I’ve no intentions of retiring though, I’m 57 and I might even go on as long as Robbo (Sir Bobby Robson) who knows.”

And he concluded, “The most important thing is Burnley Football Club and that will be here long after I’m not.”