Preston North End have asked permission to speak to manager Graham Westley but Stevenage say the approach is 'unwelcome'.
Boro not willing to let manager go to North End
Stevenage have confirmed Preston North End have asked for permission to speak to Graham Westley over their vacant managerial post but say the approach is 'unwelcome'.
Preston have been without a manager since mid-December after Phil Brown was shown the door, with David Unsworth and Graham Alexander currently in caretaker charge.
The club's chairman Peter Ridsdale
revealed earlier on Monday he had requested consent to talk to the manager of a rival club as he looks to fill the vacant post.
Stevenage have confirmed Westley as North End's target but have rejected their interest, although admit the decision will ultimately come down to the manager himself.
Unwelcome
A statement on Stevenage's
official website read: "Stevenage FC confirm that Preston North End FC have asked for permission to speak to Graham Westley with the view to employing him as their new manager.
"The club have informed Preston that their approach is unwelcome at this crucial stage of the season.
"However, as always in these situations, the manager's desire will influence the outcome.
"We will update supporters on this website when we have more news."
Westley has made a big impact at Stevenage since taking over in June 2008, guiding the club from the Blue Square Premier into League One.
