MK Dons boss Paul Warne has set his sights on the one thing to have eluded him as a manager – a league title.
Warne's team clinched the fifth promotion of his career last weekend with a 3-0 win over Tranmere Rovers.
And they will take a one-point lead over second-placed Bromley – who led League Two for several weeks – into their final game away to Fleetwood Town.
"I've been in professional football for about 30 years, I've had a lot of joy but I've never had a sniff at a title, I've never had a game for a title," Warne told BBC Three Counties Radio.
"I've been a bridesmaid quite a few times. Maybe it's time to shave my beard off and be a bride.
"The lads, in my opinion, and i'm not being arrogant, I think they're the best team in the league. It would be fitting if we could win the title but if we don't, if we give everything and we're not good enough, Bromley win and we don't. Then they've thoroughly deserved it and will have my utmost respect.
"If we could put on a performance that would get us three points, it would be a fitting end to a really amazing season."
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Asked about his week since promotion was confirmed, Warne said: "I've had a lot more sleep, the sun's been out, and the end of the season is here."
But the former Rotherham United and Derby County boss admitted he had enjoyed the "polite" celebrations on the pitch which followed the win over Tranmere more than on previous occasions.
"At other clubs, you go out there [after promotion] and you're not coming back with any clothes on. So normally you then come out in the upper tier and wave like you're Caesar," he said.
"I did thoroughly enjoy it. I always enjoy promotions and wins – I don't want to come across as a grumpy person – but I'm normally quite happy just to watch the lads and feel chuffed."
MK Dons were content to run down the clock after Callum Paterson's goal had put them 3-0 up – not a situation that Warne would normally tolerate.
"I don't think I've ever managed a team with 10 minutes to go that are quite happy to keep the ball in their own half – even if it's 3-0," he said.
"I'm more like, 'Let's get four, let's get five, let's just keep going,' so that was quite calming, it was like I had a chamomile tea on the side of the pitch.
"I was thinking, 'I'm not used to this,' but it felt needed really after a long season. It was nice to be sitting there thinking, 'I can't see anything going wrong here,' which happens in my brain like never – all I do is see worse-case scenarios."
Victory over Fleetwood would give MK Dons 88 points, their best tally since finishing third in League One with 89 points in the 2021-22 season.
