David Unsworth said it was the "perfect afternoon" as Everton beat Norwich 3-0 at Goodison Park to end a disappointing Premier League campaign with a win.
Roberto Martinez was sacked as manager following the midweek defeat to Sunderland, with the side eventually finishing in the bottom half of the league in an underwhelming season.
U21 boss Unsworth and Joe Royle were placed in charge on an interim basis for the final game of the season and there appeared to be a more cheerful attitude around the stadium as fans turned out to see Tim Howard keep a clean sheet in his final game for the club before a return to the United States.
Unsworth was full of praise for all members of the team and said he was just pleased they were able to send supporters home happy after a testing week with a well deserved win.
"It was the perfect afternoon, all credit goes to the players, they were fantastic," he said.
"They took on board what we've done in two days - a real plus point from them that they have done that, I thought we were brilliant from start to finish. We got the goals, a clean sheet, and worked at a tempo that was outstanding for 90 minutes.
"There are some tired bodies in there and quite rightly so, that's how you should feel and I'm just delighted for the boys and delighted for the club that we can put a smile on the faces of everybody connected with Everton on their way home tonight because it has been a difficult week.
"If there was a script and I could have written it last night, it would have been exactly what's happened today. From minute one to the last minute I thought we were fantastic and I was a very proud man stood on the line today."
Unsworth, who won the FA Cup playing under Royle for Everton in 1995, described being given the opportunity to manage the team as the proudest moment of his life.
There was also more reason for optimism as youngsters Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell and substitute Jonjoe Kenny turned in outstanding performances.
"I thought the young lads were terrific," Unsworth said. "I thought Matty Pennington started the game really well, unfortunately had to come off with a hamstring and it was a case of 'no problem'. Jonjoe Kenny's been playing there all season.
"He's been U21 captain, I had no hesitation putting him in and he was outstanding as well. Kieran Dowell showed flashes of genius, showed the quality he's been showing all season with the U21s, and as for Tom Davies, I thought his performance was probably man of the match. For me he was everything we want in an Everton central midfielder."
Unsworth expects whoever the new manager is to utilise the young talent at his disposal.
He said: "That will be the skill of the manager: can he blend top established players with a new generation of unbelievable talent?
"It doesn't matter how old you are, if you watch that performance, you know that Kieran, Tom, Jonjoe and Matty are here to stay and basically you build a team around that."