New boss Warne sees MK Dons potential

Paul Warne is back in management just over two months after being sacked by Derby County

New Milton Keynes Dons boss Paul Warne said the club have the potential to be promotion challengers again despite their disappointing season.

Warne took over as Dons boss on Tuesday following the recent sacking of Scott Lindsey.

He inherits a team 19th in the League Two table, having suffered four consecutive defeats.

After losing heavily in the play-offs to Crawley - who were then managed by Lindsay - last season, MK Dons hoped to mount another promotion challenge.

Instead it has been a poor campaign, prompting chairman Fahad Al Ghanim to dismiss Lindsey, who was in the job for five months.

But Warne told BBC Three Counties: "It's a really healthy club behind the scenes. I've got on brilliantly with the chairman. I've spoken to him about his aspirations that align with mine."

Warne has won four promotions from League One, three with Rotherham and one in charge of Derby, who sacked him in February with the club struggling to avoid relegation from the Championship.

The 51-year-old, who will be assisted by Richie Barker, admitted he thought twice about taking a job in League Two, having spent much of his managerial career in the second and third tiers.

"I can't say it [dropping down divisions] didn't affect my thinking. I had numerous meetings because I needed to be convinced," Warne said.

Warne guided Rotherham to promotion from League One via the play-offs in 2018

"I had to do my due diligence on as many people as I could who worked at the club and ask as many questions as possible.

"Then it's just a gut feeling. I manage with my heart. People will see that. I just had a really good feeling about the place.

"I know it sounds really big-time, but I wasn't desperate for it - I spoke to other clubs but this is the club that really excited me."

He added: "I really think me and Rich can be part of an exciting journey. Potentially this club is going to be in a really good place in years to come, and if I can play a small part in delivering that to this city, then great.

"To come to MK in this position is because I see the potential of it."

Changing the culture

Part of Warne's brief will be to change a losing culture that has set in since last season's play-off hammering, particularly since the turn of the year.

Lindsey was shown the door after a wretched run of 11 defeats in 16 league matches.

Warne said: "The chairman was saying, 'I want you to really change the culture.'

"The way I treat my players and staff is different to other people, possibly. I'm not saying it's better or worse, it's just the way I am.

"That's why managers get changed, isn't it? Let's be honest. Sometimes a reset is probably needed.

"We have to work out why, for whatever reason, chemically or cohesively, it hasn't really worked. I don't think there's a lot wrong at this club - hence why we've come here."

In the short term, Warne will assess his squad and wants to see a strong finish in the final four matches of the season.

"If you're going to have a promotion season you have to try to average two points a game," he said.

"So my target for the lads is, 'Can you get eight points?' If you think that's a big ask, you might as well leave the room.

"Psychology is key in sport. You have to believe in what you're doing. I'll target eight points. I might get five. We might get three. We might get 12.

"I just like looking at people under strain. You can see what they're like."