Danny Cowley has explained to the Braintree and Witham Times that becoming a full-time football manager was too big an opportunity to turn down after his departure as Braintree Town boss.

Cowley, together with his brother and assistant boss, Nicky, stepped down last night from his managerial position with the Iron.

Fresh from a meeting with the players who he had led to a third-place finish in the Vanarama National League this year, Danny spoke to the Times about his decision to leave.

He said it was an incredibly tough decision to leave Braintree because of the close bonds he and Nicky had forged with staff, players and fans at the club in their 12 months at the helm.

Danny was keen to stress that his and Nicky’s decision to resign their positions wouldn’t affect any compensation that Braintree would receive from their next club as they had been at the Iron on a non-contract basis.

He said if any compensation had been due to come to the club, he would have wanted to ensure it came but said that was not the case.

The club have certainly profited from his time in charge on the pitch, though.

His tenure as boss has been arguably the club’s most successful season in their 118-year history and Danny said he felt there was still more of the journey to complete.

However, a chance had been presented to him to manage full-time and he and his brother didn’t want to live to regret not taking the opportunity once it was available.

Danny said: “It has been an emotional night.

“We’ve had an opportunity to speak with the staff and players and it’s been tough as we’ve met so many fantastic people at Braintree who have been absolutely great for us.

“I’d like to go on record to thank (chairman) Lee Harding and the board for all their support and advice throughout the season.

“And I really do wish the club and its supporters continued success.

“I have absolutely no doubt that it will continue – Braintree Town was a success before we came along and it will be a success after we’re gone.”

Danny declined to reveal the team where he is heading as he felt it proper for that club to announce it in the coming days.

It is known that the Cowley brothers met with officials from Lincoln Town yesterday, but other clubs believed by the Times to have shown an interest include Tranmere Rovers and Northampton Town.

Danny did say that they were full-time positions he and Nicky were heading to, though, and that their move would obviously affect their jobs as PE teachers at the Fitzwimarc School in Rayleigh.

“It’s been a really difficult decision to leave Braintree,” added Danny.

“We were not ready to leave really and we felt we were only part way through the journey, but we have an opportunity to be full-time football managers.

“Chances to be in full-time football at a club like the one we are going to don’t come around very often and for us, we never want to live with regrets.

“It’s going to be a big step for us to leave the teaching profession to go into full-time football, but it’s one that we feel we would regret not making.

“That’s why we are taking the step and we feel privileged to be in this position.”