Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley 'would have been mad' to take the Lincoln managers job, according to former Crystal Palace defender Damien Delaney.
Over the past two weeks, Bradley has been heavily linked with English League One side Lincoln City FC. It was confirmed on Friday, though, that the Rovers manager would be sticking with his League of Ireland side.
Speaking to the media after his side's win over Finn Harps, Bradley said that 'Lincoln are a brilliant club', and he has 'no doubt they will be successful', however he would be staying in Ireland.
While some were slightly surprised by the announcement, Delaney felt it was the correct decision.
Speaking on Football Saturday, Delaney discussed the much-reported potential move, and why Bradley is better off staying in Ireland.
"I followed that story quite closely," Delaney said. "In my personal opinion I think Stephen has made the right decision. Jumping at the first or the second chance doesn't matter, it is jumping at the best chance.
"I think a club like Lincoln, he's said a lot of nice things about them, it is in League One, it's budget would be considerably smaller, they are 17th this year, you are taking over a job and obviously you want to be successful.
"I don't think Lincoln would have the capacity to make it into the Championship or get up near the top of the table. That [would mean] Stephen is working in a job where you are just trying to maintain and stay in the league.
"I don't think that's a good fit for him."
Bradley's future is still in England
Delaney does not believe that Bradley is currently in his best role. He feels that the Rovers manager has much better things on the horizon.
However, Delaney feels that the opportunity to move overseas needs to be the best one, and Lincoln is not the best option for Bradley.
"I think there are better opportunities up the road for Stephen," Delaney said. "He will be looking to go, because every manager, every person is always looking to better themselves.
"If you've won the League of Ireland and you feel you've done everything that you can do in this country, you need to move abroad to keep bettering yourself.
"So, he will go eventually, but I don't think Lincoln was the correct opportunity. Say what you want, they are not a massive football club.
"I think they are probably punching above their weight in League One."
For Delaney, the opportunity in Lincoln would have been a step down from his current position at Rovers.
"He's got the best job in the country in terms of how well run Shamrock Rovers are," Delaney said. "He looks to have complete control of that football club and is doing what he wants to do.
"For what it's worth, I saw it and I went, 'if he takes that he would have been mad!' and that's from the outside looking in."
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