David Healy admitted Sunday's BetMcLean Cup final might turn out to be his last as Linfield manager, such is the level of competition within the Irish League.
The Blues boss celebrated his ninth major success as Blues boss with Sunday's 2-0 win over Coleraine.
It is Healy's first League Cup success since 2019, and his first knockout final win since lifting the Irish Cup two years ago.
Read more: Linfield vs Coleraine as it happened in the BetMcLean Cup final
"In the build-up to this game I said this might be my last cup final. You never know because of the level of competition in the league. Getting to cup finals is tough," he said.
"Credit to NIFL, they have made this a showpiece final and it is great to win it. We will now prepare for our next game against Newry City, and it is important we maximise the points from our two games before the split.
"And who knows, pressure does put a little bit of weird and wonderful ideas and things into people, and it is important we continue trying to do our jobs and see where it takes us.
"We will certainly enjoy tonight, and credit to both sets of supporters. Oran (Kearney) and his team have been a huge credit to the league over the last number of years, so I know they will be licking their wounds tonight.
"But I am pleased for our fans, the players and staff. And sometimes through adversity you find out more about yourself, your staff, players and people around you.
"And the boys delivered today."
Healy believes Sunday's cup success is reward for his players who are in the throes of a marathon season.
Sunday was their 53rd game of the campaign, which kicked off last summer with a mesmerising European run which ended in an agonising play-off defeat to RFS.
"The players have put in a lot of hard work during the course of the whole season. We have felt aggrieved at times, such as going out of Europe on a penalty shootout when we should have gone through," he added.
"That probably took the wind out of our sails and it took us longer to come back from the disappointment of that. We have no define right to win leagues and cups every year.
"All the other clubs have improved. Larne, the whole four or five clubs at the top have all invested to get European football.
"So today is great, but most important thing is to try and capitalise on our position in the league and finish as strong as possible."
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