Schoolteacher turned National League manager outlines his plan for an FA Cup shock, his views on Arsène Wenger and his desire to rise to the top of the gameDanny Cowley takes a deep breath and anticipates the moment when he will lead the first non-league football club in 103 years into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. “Facing Arsenal at the Emirates?” the Lincoln City manager says quietly just after eight o’clock at night in an empty Sincil Bank stadium. “Facing Arsène Wenger in the opposite dugout? A 60,000 crowd? The first game I managed at Concord Rangers [in the Essex Senior League in 2007] was watched by 62 people. Concord against Sawbridgeworth. We won 6-1.”Cowley smiles as his words drift away. A rare pause for the 38-year-old feels significant. He has filled this interview with memories and insights as poignant as they are incisive – moving from the challenges of coaching a team of Albanian refugees in Essex to working until the start of this season as a full-time teacher and part-time football manager. Related: Lincoln City topple Burnley as Sean Raggett seals historic FA Cup shock I know the Arsenal fans are passionate but I don’t like the way some of them treat Arsène Wenger Related: Lincoln are bringing the magic of the FA Cup back, says manager Danny Cowley Related: David Squires on … Lincoln City, Joey Barton and the FA Cup fifth round Continue readingreadfullarticle
