Danny Searle is ready to seize his opportunity with both hands after being appointed as Braintree Town manager following the departure of Hakan Hayrettin.

The Iron's board are set to meet on Thursday night to discuss the exit of boss Hayrettin to Maidstone United this week, but chairman Lee Harding has told the Braintree and Witham Times that everyone has been pleased that Searle has agreed to step up into the role.

And it is an opportunity that the former West Ham Academy coach is delighted to be given.

He has been working as Hayrettin's assistant manager since the duo came in at the start of October after the exit of Brad Quinton and is highly regarded by the club's players and staff.

Searle is in the process of completing his UEFA Pro Licence so, while this is his first time in the actual hotseat, he is more than qualified to take the reins and he is enthusiastic about the backing he has received so far from board members and players alike.

He said: "First of all, I'd like to wish Hakan all the best because if it wasn't for him, I would not be here at Braintree and I'm grateful for that.

"I want to be a manager as that is what I believe my career path is and while this opportunity has come earlier than I was perhaps expecting, it is a fantastic chance and I'm grateful the club have given it to me.

"The situation that we are in is one that people have talked a lot about and it is one that won't change without us all being positive and working hard, doing what we have been.

"I think recent results have shown that we are moving forward.

"There won't be massive changes to the infrastructure and we can build on what we have already put in place. "Everyone has been so supportive of me and very welcoming in my time at the club and the conversations I've had with people have been very positive. "I feel I have the backing of the board and they are happy with what we have done so far.

"I was also getting messages from players after it became clear Hakan was leaving and the backing I got from them was 100 per cent.

"That is nice and to have continuity is the biggest thing.

"I said to the players that rather than any negativity, we should all see this as a massive opportunity to prove some people wrong and for the lads to make names for themselves."

The task ahead of Searle is still a big one, though, and it's not one he is underestimating.

Braintree are still bottom of the Vanarama National League table and head to Hartlepool United on Saturday nine points from safety, but, after that game, they then have a two-week break from action and Searle is looking forward to sinking his teeth into the job.

"The old cliché of letting the dust settle is a good one for this situation," he said.

"For now, all of our focus is on Hartlepool.

"We have a game plan already in place because we started on that as soon as we finished the Barnet game (last weekend) so we are all focused on that and not a lot has changed. "I know what I want strategically and from my team selection.

"But once that game is finished, we will then have a little break because we're not involved in the FA Trophy and we can get heads down and I can sit down with the board to talk about plans going forward. "In a way, the gap in action could be at a bad time because we have been in good form, but it does give an opportunity to look at things.

"The January transfer window is still open for Premier League clubs and I may be able to use contacts I have in the pro game with regards to players if we feel any are needed.

"Premier League rules are different and any business would have to be within the transfer window, but we have a strong squad here now - definitely the strongest it's been in my time with the club and the lads we have have been outstanding."