Enzo Maresca told Chelsea's critics to "* off" after his side secured Champions League qualification with a 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest.
Levi Colwill's goal early in the second half decided what was effectively a Premier League top-five shoot-out at the City Ground, meaning the Blues will be back in the top tier of European football again after two seasons away.
They could complete an historic season in Maresca's first year in charge if they can beat Real Betis in Wednesday's Conference League final, where they are aiming to become the first team to win all three UEFA competitions.
Despite their success, criticism has never been far away for Maresca, who has worked with the youngest team in Premier League history, and many people expected them to slip up against Forest.
Maresca was happy to shove the success down his critics' throats.
"I didn't have any doubt, to be honest, about the players, I said that the doubt was from outside," he said.
"All the ones that (think) they are the answer, or all the ones that they are the truth, they were saying that we are too young, we are not good enough.
"They were waiting for Villa to drop points in case we wanted to achieve the Champions League. They were saying that we were not able to win on this pitch because we are too young, because we are not experienced.
"Unfortunately for them, they'll be all wrong, the ones that (think) they are the truth and they have the answer for everything.
"In English we say '* off' to all of them. The players, they deserve that, I have said before, they have been fantastic.
"City lost here. Arsenal drew here. Liverpool drew here. Chelsea won. It's not easy. The players, they show how good they are.
"We are in business where the people judge us because of the results, and today, in case we were not able to win the game, probably all of you judge this season a disaster, but was not a disaster."