Danny Cowley stresses focus on Lincoln City amid speculation over his future

Danny Cowley insists he and brother Nicky are “totally focused” on Lincoln City amid speculation over their future.

The Imps’ double promotion-winning management team are believed to be attracting interest from Championship duo West Bromwich Albion and Middlesbrough.

Reports in the national media yesterday (Tuesday) claimed West Brom had opened talks with Cowley, but a statement released by the club this morning confirmed that no official approach had been made.

Cowley is reportedly on Albion’s four-man shortlist with former Brighton boss Chris Hughton, Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill and Charlton Athletic’s Lee Bowyer.

Cowley has stressed he and Nicky are continuing to work tirelessly in their efforts to prepare the Imps for life in League One, including holding talks with potential new signings this week.

“We’re totally focused on working very hard for Lincoln City and preparing the team for life in League One,” he told Lincolnshire Live.

“As always, we’ve been in everyday, working very hard putting plans in place for pre-season.

“We’re putting training programmes in place and working very hard on recruitment. We’re trying to identify the players we think can move Lincoln City forward. We’re as committed and focused as ever. 

“We respect there’s going to be talk and, as a club, we should take pride in the fact that people want our players and want our staff. Three years ago, it wasn’t like that. It just shows how far we’ve come.

“It says a lot about our culture and environment that we’ve been able to have success while developing people. That can be very hard to do side by side.

“As a consequence of that success, people are naturally looking at why and are interested in the people who are involved in it.

“We are very lucky to work at Lincoln City. We’ve got a brilliant relationship with the people at all levels of the club.

“We’ve got a unique bond with our supporters, we’ve got a brand-new training ground and we’ve got a team of hardworking, honest boys, who want to improve every day, as well as a lot of momentum behind us.

“Here and now, we are completely driven and completely focused on building a competitive team so Lincoln City can establish themselves in League One.”

Interest from other clubs also extends to the squad. As reported by Lincolnshire Live last week, Bruno Andrade and Ellis Chapman are attracting attention.

Aston Villa and Portsmouth are understood to be looking at Andrade, while Southampton, Derby County and Wigan Athletic are believed to be interested in Chapman.

There is also understood to be interest in Harry Anderson and Harry Toffolo, although the identity of those clubs is unknown at this stage.