COWDEN boss Gary Locke has hailed his close relationship with chairman Donald Findlay as a major factor in his decision to stay at the club.

But the former Hearts and Kilmarnock gaffer admits that he retains ambitions of a return to full-time management in the future if the right offer comes along.

The 42-year-old agreed to remain with the Blue Brazil next season after successfully answering an “SOS” call to save their SPFL status after Liam Fox’s departure in March.

Locke, who himself had been relieved of his position at Raith Rovers just a month previously, was unable to lift the Blues off the bottom of League Two but an upturn in form – they lost just three of their last 13 games – resulted in them beating East Kilbride in a nerve-shredding play-off final.

That prompted the board to offer their manager the chance to take them forward into next season and, speaking to Times Sport, Locke commented: “I said at the time (after the East Kilbride match) that I have a lot of time for the chairman. He is someone who I have known for a long time and I really enjoyed my short spell here.

“The chairman said that he wanted me to stay, but if anything that was full-time came up, he would not stand in my way. Over the summer I had a look; there was not a lot of movement, but I was delighted to stay here.

“If the opportunity comes I would have a look at it. It’s no secret that I want to manage and coach at the top level and, although I’ve had a couple of setbacks, I believe in my ability as a manager and I am ambitious.

“To help Cowdenbeath stay in the league was a great achievement and I think I have shown my credentials.”

For now, Locke is determined to ensure a much improved campaign at Central Park and he is delighted to once again call on the services of experienced assistant Billy Brown.

The duo worked together at Tynecastle and Brown, whose commitment to the Cowden cause was memorably highlighted when he flew back from a family holiday to attend the second leg of the East Kilbride tie, has signed on for next season.

Darren Jackson, who worked with Locke at Raith, has also been helping the Cowden boss out, who added: “Everyone knows Billy’s credentials and, between his contacts in the game and mine, I’m hopeful we can attract good players.

“If we could afford it I would have Darren Jackson at the club. He’s come in and helped out at training and with the strikers, and has been at a few games as well. It’s fantastic to have someone of his calibre, a boy who has played at the World Cup and European Championship for Scotland, working with the players at Cowdenbeath. I trust him 100 per cent and is a fantastic coach. He was a great assistant to me at Raith Rovers – although it was disappointing we had to leave, but that was other people’s decision – but he can help me get the best out of the players.”