Derby are up but will Davies still be there?

Stephen Pearson sealed promotion with the only goal of the Championship play-off final against West Bromwich Albion at Wembley.

But, asked if he would confirm he will lead the team in the top flight, Davies' answer was a flat 'No'.

"I don't think there is anything guaranteed 100 per cent," he added. "It is a matter of sitting down and having a discussion. My focus has been on nothing else except for these games." Davies has been at loggerheads with the directors for months after their refusal to sanction a move for an assistant manager.

The Scot has been working without a No 2 since his arrival last summer and emotions spilled over when the Derby board failed to secure the release of his right-hand man at Preston, David Kelly.

Kelly has been on gardening leave at Deepdale awaiting a call. However, Derby have ignored Davies' repeated pleas for Kelly to join him.

Davies said: "I will raise a glass of champagne tonight for David Kelly. He's a superb assistant manager whom I have missed greatly.

"My patience is wearing thin, though, and, come what may, I will start next season with an assistant manager, be it David Kelly or someone else.

"I think there is a lot of talking to be done. I'm not saying I don't want to be the manager of Derby County. I'm certainly delighted to be taking the club into the Premiership.

"I have signed a threeyear contract and it has two remaining. It is now time to enjoy this occasion."

There was plenty for Derby fans to enjoy after seeing their side weather a storm of first-half pressure before the introduction of Giles Barnes after the break swung the tie.

Within two minutes of coming on, the talented midfielder had provided the ball for Pearson to score after 61 minutes.

Davies said: "I just wanted to get Barnes's pace on. He's only 90 per cent fit. But he has that ability to get in behind people and we became a better side on the counter-attack.

"I told the chairman last week that Pearson would score the winning goal and I'm delighted he did. 'Getting him back in for the play-offs was crucial. He had been missing for 11 matches. He is a fantastic young player with great athleticism."

West Bromwich boss Tony Mowbray said: "I thought we were the team who forced the issue for the majority of the game. Our keeper made one good save and they scored a goal. We had numerous opportunities to win. We created enough but we never scored.

"But just because you have got names on a piece of paper doesn't mean you have got a great team."