Braintree Town chairman Lee Harding has questioned why boss Danny Cowley would want to leave the Iron to take over at Lincoln City, while confirming he has yet to receive an approach for the 36-year-old from League Two side Notts County.

Former Concord Rangers boss Cowley enjoyed a stellar first season as Braintree boss, leading Iron to the National League play-off semi finals, the Essex part-timers eventually succumbing over two legs to Grimsby Town.

And his work has not gone unnoticed, with Harding yesterday taking a phone call from Lincoln chairman Bob Dorrian, with regards to his manager’s services.

Notts County have also been linked with a move for Cowley, who would not be the subject of any compensation, given his main job is that of a PE teacher at Fitzwimarc School.

Harding does not want Cowley to leave, but revealed he has already received seven applications for the first-team boss’ position at Braintree.

“We had an approach from Lincoln, their chairman rang me up and said he was going to speak to Danny, but wanted to tell me out of courtesy first, which I appreciated,” said Harding, who revealed Cowley and himself had shaken on a gentleman’s agreement for them to work together for two years initially, when he joined the club last summer.

“I think Danny is flattered by the interest and I said to him I have no issue with him going to talk to them and I would not stand in his way. I think he will be talking to them tomorrow.

“It would be another feather in our cap if Danny was to go on to bigger and better things, but I am not certain that Lincoln City, who finished in the bottom half of the table, is a bigger and better club.

“As for Notts County I have had no contact from them.”

Harding revealed he spoke to Cowley yesterday, following the weekend’s heartbreak against Grimsby and says plans are already in place for next season’s campaign, despite other media sources claiming his switch to Sincil Bank was almost a done deal.

“We were together on Monday, on the day of mourning if you like, and he (Cowley) was not the happiest, but I have spoken to him since then and the story about him moving to Lincoln coincided with changes in his working arrangements.

“There is going to be a reorganisation at Danny’s school, and when people have seen a job advertised, they have put two and two together and come up with five. He has not resigned”

He added: “I think we are going to break-even this season as a result of our windfall from the play-offs and Danny will probably receive an extra £1,000 a week towards the playing budget.

“If Danny fancies the Lincoln job, then great, but I can believe he can do better than Lincoln. We will see how it goes, but if he leaves, I can’t imagine there will be a shortage of interest in the Braintree manager’s position.”