Ghana international Kevin-Prince Boateng says he put together the right team with Hertha Berlin coach Felix Magath to see off Hamburger SV in the play-off.
Boateng steered his outfit to survive relegation after victory over Hamburg on Monday night.
The 34-year-old started and played 89 minutes as the capital-based side recovered from a first leg defeat to win 2-0 and confirm their stay in the German topflight.
Hertha Berlin, who were down by a goal from Friday's first leg leveled the scores just four minutes into the game after former Manchester City defender Derdryck Boyata scored.
Marvin Planttenhardt sealed victory with a 63rd minute strike to keep the Old Ladies in the league for another season.
"A big stone fell from my heart. The emotions are as if we had become champions, ”said Boateng. The whole season didn't go as expected; “Today I was there again when it mattered. I threw everything out again. The coach gave me a free hand. I put together the right team with him," said Boateng, showing that he was more than just a player for Hertha and Magath.
“Boateng felt we needed experienced people. We more or less lined up like Boateng said,” said Magath.
Due to injuries, the former AC Milan and Barcelona star featured only 18 times in the league for his outfit.