Baraclough has yet to agree terms on extending his two-year stint at the Showgrounds and is a free agent at the final whistle of Sunday’s FAI Ford Cup final with Drogheda United.

“I spent a big part of my career at Notts, so I have a lot of fondness for the club,” Barraclough, who played almost 250 games for the club, was quoted as saying in the Nottingham Evening Post. “I’m a manager who wants to work at the highest level possible.

I’m sure the Notts County job will bring in a lot of interest from managers and coaches with a lot more experience.

“I’ve had two great years over here in Ireland and I think that, together with my experience as a coach in the last six years, stands me in good stead to progress and Notts County would definitely be a progression.”

When asked at yesterday’s pre-cup final press day about the report, Baraclough said: ” I haven’t had any call whatsoever from anybody at Notts County and whatever has been reported is pure speculation.

“I got a call (on Monday night) from somebody at the Nottingham Evening Post, who I previously worked with, as he was with the Scunthorpe newspaper when I was there, and he asked whether I would be interested. With me being out of the contract in a week’s time, do I turn around and say: “No, I’m not interested?”

Having won the league last year, and played in the Champions League qualifiers this season, as well as reaching Sunday’s cup final, Baraclough says he’d be happy to remain on.

“I’ve said openly to the members of the board and the football club that I’m enjoying my time here.”

“I’m enjoying my journey, and it is still a journey with many roads to go down as we can still improve.

“I can’t stop people speculating about me and my position. There were other parts of that conversation that didn’t get brought out in the media, i.e. that I’m concentrating this week solely on winning this FAI Cup final for Sligo Rovers.

“We’ve got a game to win. We’ve got a cup to put in the cabinet, if we had one, and make sure that we do the business.

“What ever happens after that is out of my control.”