Exclusive: Danny Cowley says only the 'perfect opportunity' would make him consider leaving Lincoln City
Lincoln City boss Danny Cowley has said that only the 'perfect opportunity' would make him consider leaving the Imps in the summer.
Cowley is the odds-on 4/5 favourite to become the next manager of West Brom with Sky Bet after winning the League Two title with his current club this season.
However, Cowley indicated that he was happy in the position he has held since May 2016, guiding Lincoln to the Football League in his first season.
Cowley was speaking after watching the Sky Bet League Two play-off final at Wembley, where Connor Jennings’ extra-time strike secured Tranmere promotion after beating 10-man Newport 1-0.
In a discussion with Sporting Life on links elsewhere, Cowley said: "I'm pleased for the games this weekend, because when there's no football there is always a lot of speculation so I'm pleased for the games!
"We're flattered and surprised in equal measure with the size of the clubs that are showing interest.
"For us (Danny and assistant Nicky Cowley), we are involved in a brilliant football club in Lincoln City. It's got wonderful support and they've been unconditional in their support from day dot.
"We've got a brilliant board of directors and a fantastic group of players and we're in a brand new training ground so we've got an awful lot going for us.
"Ultimately, it would have to be the perfect opportunity for us to even consider leaving Lincoln City."
The match looked like it was going to penalties until Jennings netted his 13th goal of the campaign, heading into an empty net after Jake Caprice’s dangerous cross in the dying moments.
It was bitterly disappointing for Newport, who were, in truth, the better side on the day but saw their hopes of winning dashed shortly before the end of regular time when Mark O’Brien was shown a second yellow card.
Jennings’ strike sealed a second successive promotion for Micky Mellon’s Rovers after their success from the National League in 17/18.
On the final itself, Cowley added: "Credit to Tranmere. It's unbelievable to get back-to-back promotions. I thought it was a very tight game, a cagey affair.
"Both sets of players after a long, hard season on a boiling hot day, it's not easy.
"It was also probably not trying to make a mistake and sometimes in these big games that can be your biggest mistake."
Cowley has play-off experience in the past, reaching the National League version with Braintree before guiding Lincoln to seventh place in their first season back in the Football League.
"I don't think that you can fear something that you've created," he said on handling pressure in play-off situations. "For both teams they deserve to be here.
"You have to be really brave, in the moment, and it's sometimes easier said than done and it is hard for the players after what has been a really, really long season.
"But credit to both groups I thought they both worked extremely hard."
Odds correct at 0950 BST (26/05/19)