Both Braintree Town manager Alan Devonshire and Iron chairman Lee Harding have said that there has been no contact with them from Colchester United over their vacant managerial position.

The U’s parted company with boss Joe Dunne earlier today and the inevitable speculation followed about who would step in to take over at the Weston Homes Community Stadium.

The job that Devonshire has done in three seasons in charge of Braintree in the Conference Premier has led to his name being involved in that speculation, but he admitted he had not had any interest shown to him directly.

He told the Gazette: “I’ve not heard anything at all and even if there was interest it would have to go through the club.”

Iron chairman Harding said that he had not received any notice of interest from Colchester either, but said he would understand it if there was an approach and Devonshire wanted to step up to managing at a Football League club.

Harding added: “I’ve had no approach and haven’t heard anything from Colchester.

“But if there was an approach and Alan wanted to go then I would understand.

“Good luck to him, but we have always only spoken about the job at Braintree that is to be done with moving into the new stadium.

“However, Alan is a sensibly ambitious manager and these type of jobs don’t come along too often.

“Any interest would be a compliment to Alan and our club if he is considered.”