Like him or loathe him, former Wrexham boss Brian Flynn deserves his place as a player in the all-time Wales Hall of Fame. And since he hung up his boots in 1989, he has earned more plaudits than brickbats following his move into management.
In 12 years at the Racecourse, the diminutive midfielder transformed the economic fortunes of a club going nowhere fast.
And although his long reign ended on a sour note two years ago, he now seems determined to repeat that success with Third Division Swansea City.
In many ways, Flynn's arrival at The Vetch last September mirrored his first step into management. He once again took up the reins at a club seemingly out of control and careering towards the Football League exit door.
But the experience gained from a similar survival battle with Wrexham at the end of the 1980s stood him and assistant Kevin Reeves in good stead.
Though it was not until the final day of the season that the Swans retained their League status, the ex-Leeds United star revealed he had never doubted the out-come after deciding Swansea was the challenge he had been looking for.
"I was out of the game for just under a year, although I had always intended to take six months off after leaving Wrexham," he said.
"Within a week I could have taken the Oldham job but I turned it down. Looking back, I'm glad I did because I might have gone back in too quickly.
"What I missed most was being involved with players in pre-season training, having done so for 12 years.
"But it had to be the right job in the right place at the right time. I had talked to Swansea in the April when they offered me the job. The reasons why I didn't take it then were well-documented at the time, but it was all very amicable and that's why they came back in September.
"I had no hesitation in taking the job then and the position they were in just made it a bigger challenge. The fact that I'd been in a similar position when I was at Wrexham was an obvious help.
"We finished bottom at the Racecourse when relegation was not an issue, but the season before we were three wins adrift of the other clubs with 15 games to go. But we saved ourselves with three games to spare."
During his time at the Racecourse, Flynn was fortunate enough to enjoy the full confidence of then chairman Pryce Griffiths and he said the support of Swan-sea's directors was equally as crucial.
"With 20 games to go we'd changed 50pc of the squad, with 10 players in and 10 out. By then, we needed to be a top-six side in terms of results," he added.
"I didn't expect it to be so close. We set the lads a target of 45 points but everyone else was winning. There was only one side in free-fall and that was Shrewsbury. But eight wins, seven draws and five defeats for us represented top-six form."
Even so, the relegation issue went to the wire and Flynn added: "In the run-up to the last game against Hull game, we tried to keep it as normal as possible.
"There was a huge amount of media interest, it's something that Welsh clubs are used to with cameras at the training ground most weeks.
"Other clubs around us couldn't say the same when they were in the same spot-light and that maybe made a difference.
"And we had a fantastic amount of sup-port from the fans, who stuck with us even though the worst of times. At Easter we went 1-0 down at home to Exeter with about 15 minutes left, but no one in a crowd of nearly 9,000 left the ground.
"The players appreciated that and realised just what was at stake."
Just as he did at Wrexham, Flynn is now looking to consolidate and build for the future. His side have made an excellent start to the new campaign, with former Wrexham striker Lee Trundle heading the goal-scoring chart.
"It's the best start to a season I've ever experienced as a manager," said Flynn.
"Trundle was a big signing for us and Kev Reeves was a big factor in that. Trunds likes Kev and his coaching methods and we only had him a short time at Wrexham.
"I went in really strong for him at the end of the season because I knew he was available. I backed off because he was getting pressure from a lot of other clubs.
"I was delighted when he finally came here and he's loving it. He's lapping up all the hype and publicity. We have a few heroes, to be honest, because that's what fans want.
"But the big difference is that last season was that we were going into games saying 'we must win.' This season we are saying 'we will win' and that's a hugely different emphasis on the way we are approaching games."
While Flynn continues to seek success as a manager, his exploits as an international player will be recognised later this month when he receives a golden cap from the FA of Wales.
With 66 appearances for his country, Flynn is one of only 22 former and current stars to have topped the 50-cap mark. He will be presented with his special memento on the pitch at the Millenium Stadium before the European Championship play-off game against Russia.
"It's a really superb gesture," he said. "The Republic of Ireland have been doing the same thing for a number of years but I thought the idea had passed Wales by.
"I played in a great side who reached the last stages of a major championship, albeit in a different format, back in 1976.
"We came through a group stage and got through to the quarter-finals against Yugoslavia.
"We were a good side, we can genuinely say that. Virtually the same 15 or 16 players picked themselves every time and I have some great other memories.
"I scored a header against Brazil in 1983. Another game that sticks in the mind was captaining Wales against England at Wembley and I'll always remember when we beat Austria 1-0 at the Racecourse."
Looking ahead to the crucial two-leg tie against the Russians, which will decide Wales Euro 2004 fate, the Swansea boss believes regardless of the outcome, manager Mark Hughes deserves nothing but praise.
"Wales have done so well to get where they are and they'll want to cap it off with success.
"It's already a great achievement considering where they started from. And, having seen them play, I'm not surprised.
"It's a tough group but Mark went through his trials and tribulations in the games leading up to this campaign.
"Wales didn't win for a long time leading up to it but that period has obviously made him a better manager and the squad stronger. He was in it for the long-term and he's reaping the rewards.
"Wales have become a team that's hard to beat, he has restored a lot of respect and we are back in the top 50. To be as close to qualification as they are in a tough group stage is a remarkable transformation."
And Flynn believes the key to Portugal lies in a disciplined performance in Moscow on November 14.
"Russia's home form in the campaign has been very good and they have scored quite a few goals," he added.
"That's where they will be looking to win it because their record in the qualifying campaign shows they are not the best of travellers.
"If Wales are still in the tie when we come to the Millennium Stadium leg, I'm sure they will go through and it will be a great night for Welsh football."
