"It's not about me proving people wrong - I just had to get on with my job."

"What a season!" Sebastien Meyer lets out with an exasperated puff of air and weary shake of the head. "Nobody expected any of this last Summer, but we didn't pay attention to what was being said on the outside. We came to work every day with an attitude and a commitment to improve, to show people what this team could do. That takes a strong mentality. Thank you all for your hard work this season, and enjoy tonight with your team-mates, your colleagues and your families. You never know what happens it football, so it is important to celebrate your successes. Prost!" Meyer signs off, raising a glass.

He is understandably jaded after a long, hard season which began amidst the doubts and snipes in the weeks following his appointment. But his first year as a Head Coach has ended in more convivial circumstances as he addresses those in attendance at an opulent hotel just outside Cottbus. The mood in the room is good, and with some justification. Energie Cottbus are hosting their end of season awards dinner, having secured their return to Bundesliga 2 with a thumping 4-0 win over Viktoria Koln just one week ago.

Meyer could be forgiven for wanting to take aim at the doubters after leading his team to the League title, but is insistent that it's not in his nature.

"It's not about me proving people wrong - I just had to get on with my job." Meyer protests. "I think in this job you cannot worry about what people say on TV, in the papers or on social media. If you look hard enough you can find negativity anywhere and it can destroy you. What mattered was getting the players on board, to get them to believe in what we were trying to do. We had some good results early on, which helped get the fans behind us as well."

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"It felt like a big moment for this team"

Good results might be slightly underplaying it. Energie Cottbus started the League campaign with a 17 match unbeaten run, but it was their performances in the DFB Pokal garnered goodwill amongst the home support and generated interest in the national media. Their reward for the 5-2 thrashing of Bundesliga side Heidenheim was to be given a home tie against arch rivals, Hertha Berlin. A Berlin-Brandenberg derby so early in Meyer's tenure felt make or break, and Energie grapsed their opportunity with both hands by beating their rivals 3-2.

Axel Borgmann captained the side that day. "It felt like a big moment for this team." Borgmann reflects. Borgmann joined Energie in 2019 with the club languishing in the lower divisions, and has become something of a fan favourite. His performances this season as a rampaging left-back have been a huge part of the success.

Borgmann has become a cult figure at Energie

"When Hertha equalised so late in the game, we didn't let the disappointment affect us - our heads never went down. We scored straight from our kick off and the rest is history." And they didn't stop there. Energie defeated 2nd tier Munster 1-0 before a penalty shootout win over Augsburg set up a semi-final clash with Wolfsburg.

A 2-1 defeat to the eventual Cup winners was the end of a campaign Borgmann is naturally proud of. "It gave us so much belief, and you could feel the momentum gathering. The energy in training, the energy in the stadium on matchdays, everything just felt different to those first few weeks. It was an amazing thing to be a part of."

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There was little fanfare when Lucas Copado arrived in Cottbus last Summer, signing on a one-year loan deal from Austrian side LASK. The former Bayern Munich youngster has been a revelation, scoring 42 goals in 42 games.

"It has gone better than I could have ever hoped for." beams Copado, speaking after picking up the Players Player of the Year, Fans Player of the Year and Top Goalscorer awards. "Of course, I have always had faith in my ability. Sometimes you just need the opportunity to show what you can do."

Copado quickly became a fans favourite, and his goals were crucial as Energie secured their promotion. He was also instrumental in the Cup run. A hat-trick against Heidenheim was followed by a brace against Hertha Berlin. He scored the first spot-kick in the shoot-out against Augsburg, and scored again the semi-final defeat versus Wolfsburg.

The former Bayern youngster hit 42 goals this season

"I have to thank my team-mates. I just try to be in the right positions when the chances come, and I'm happy I could help the team. The manager helped me a lot, too. He believed in me a lot, and gave me the confidence to go and show what I can do. I have to thank the fans, also. The support this year has been amazing and we couldn't have done this without them."

But will he be back next season?

"I'm a LASK player until they tell me something different. You never know what can happen in football, but I've loved my time here."

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The evening was winding to a close. Some of the players headed home with their young families, and for some the evenings festivities were only beginning. Meyer's comments at the end of his speech may have been telling. You never know what is around the corner in football.

"The truth is that a lot of these players won't be here next season. We've done incredible things this year, but we're on a journey and not everyone can come with us."

That is the brutal nature of sport. But for now, at least, there is time to celebrate, to relax and to reflect. Players and staff will be jetting off on their holidays to unwind after a demanding campaign.

"Not me, I'll be in tomorrow." Meyer laughs.