Aberdeen chairman Stewart Milne always remained hopeful Derek McInnes would stay at Pittodrie.
When Sunderland agreed a compensation deal with the Dons and were granted permission to speak to the manager, the Red Army began to fear the worst.
McInnes has enjoyed remarkable success over the past four years since succeeding Craig Brown in April 2013.
The Dons had finished in the bottom six four years on the trot and had not won a trophy since 1995 – but that quickly changed under the former St Johnstone and Bristol City manager.
McInnes guided the Dons to the League Cup in his first full season in charge and has followed up a third-place finish in his first campaign with three successive runners-up placings.
European football and Hampden days out have become the norm under McInnes and it was no surprise that the 45-year-old was linked with the Black Cats following the departure of fellow Scot David Moyes.
McInnes quickly became Sunderland’s number one preference but, following talks with Black Cats’ chief executive Martin Bain, McInnes decided to remain in the north-east of Scotland rather than take on a new role in the north-east of England.
Milne is thrilled by the decision and believes the future remains bright for the Dons with McInnes at the helm.
He said: “Like the rest of the supporters, I am delighted.
“Derek weighed up the options and, thankfully for Aberdeen Football Club, he decided he is in the right place.
“That didn’t just happen overnight. We have been speaking regularly over the last week or so and there have been quite a few late evening sessions.
“He has been away on holiday with the family, so we have tried to interfere as little as possible.
“We tried to give him peace with his family during the day and it was more convenient to chat at night.
“We covered a lot of ground. It wasn’t just about Derek’s contract.
“There was a lot of work done regarding players over the past two weeks as well.
“I’m not sure I ever felt it was more than 50-50 that Derek would leave.
“Everyone knows that Derek loves being part of Aberdeen Football Club.
“He said when he came here he wanted to deliver trophies before he left.
“He has delivered one and he wants to be able to deliver a few more before he leaves.”
However, Milne accepts that if McInnes continues to impress at Pittodrie it is only a matter of time before another club comes calling.
He said: “The smaller clubs will always be vulnerable, whether that is a very good player or a successful management team.
“They get on other people’s radar if they are performing well.
“We know the amount of changes that take place in the English Championship, especially in terms of managers.
“Some club is always going to be looking for a new manager. But we would like to think Derek has reassessed his position and has made it clear that he is committed to the club for the next couple of years.
“There was a big attraction with Sunderland. They have the potential to be a fantastic club.
“But for the moment this is where Derek’s heart is. He enjoys being here and his family enjoy being associated with the club as well.
“It would have been a massive blow if Derek and his assistant Tony Docherty had decided to leave, so I am delighted they are staying.”