Carlos Carvalhal says he's awoken a sleeping giant as Sheffield Wednesday reached the Sky Bet Championship play-off final.
The Owls are one match away from a return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence, following a 3-1 aggregate win in the play-off semi-final against Brighton.
Ross Wallace's goal cancelled out Lewis Dunk's opener to secure a 1-1 draw on the night and send Wednesday back to the national stadium for the first time in 23 years.
"We know we are making history at the club - it's been a long time since Sheffield Wednesday have achieved this type of success," he said.
"It is very important to the club.
"The self-confidence of the club is much higher this season. The club was sleeping and we have woken up the giant. The final is something that we deserve but it's not finished yet."
Carvalhal also paid tribute to Brighton and their manager Chris Hughton, who missed out on automatic promotion on goal difference before suffering bad luck with injuries in both legs of the play-offs.
"Firstly I must say a word for Brighton and their manager - they did a stupendously fantastic season," he said.
"They fight until the last minute despite having problems within the team. They absolutely deserve promotion - but so do we, in a different way.
"We have achieved something - I remember we was in 19th in the league, so we have grown together; me, the staff, the owner and the fans like a team. We understand the competition better now. We have animated stadiums wherever we've played as we play good football."