Paul Heckingbottom admits the continued speculation linking him with a move to Sunderland is 'a distraction' but insists there has been no approach for him.
The Reds head coach has denied claims in the media that he has expressed interest in becoming Sunderland manager and that he has been interviewed for the position, but he refused to categorically rule out him leaving for the Black Cats.
It is understood Heckingbottom has considered the move but has serious reservations about the budget he would be given at the Stadium of Light and is settled in his hometown of Barnsley.
Patrick Cryne, the Barnsley owner, also denied there had been an approach from the Black Cats at a meeting with the supporters' trust on Wednesday evening.Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill was another main candidate but appeared to rule himself out of the running last night, while the odds on Wales boss Chris Coleman had been slashed.
Sunderland, who sacked Simon Grayson who achieved one win in 15 matches after moving from Preston in the summer, wanted to appoint a new man before the weekend but that is now unlikely.
Heckingbottom told the Chronicle: "It's definitely a distraction. We had it with players last season and we tried to not make it a distraction but you can't help it. We've been dealing with this for the last 18 months and we've got good at it. If you are not careful you can lose focus on what your job is and my job is dealing with the players and winning games. I am from the town and live here so people are just asking me about it all the time. It does make it harder in that way. There has been no contact between me and Sunderland."
He added: "Some of the players have asked me about it and I have told them even less than I have told the media. But we just laugh and joke about it, because we are used to being involved with football and used to speculation."
Asked if he would be interested if Sunderland made an approach, Heckingbottom said: "It's all hypothetical and 'what if?' so, until anything happens, I can't answer because I don't know the club's thoughts on it or my thoughts. I've had conversations with the club and my family but they will remain private. As it stands, there's nothing in it.I could rule myself out of it but I have never done that with any job. That's not because I want to go but it would be foolish when I don't know anything about what possible opportunities there are.
"Not being big-headed in any way, but I would like to think I would be on people's list, whether they take it any further is down to them. Everybody knows how much I love it at Barnsley and I would love to stay here. I have always said I am happy here but I am also ambitious and driven. There have been opportunities to leave before and, if I didn't want to be here, I wouldn't be here."
Sunderland are currently bottom of the Championship, nine points and eight places behind 16th-placed Barnsley, while they have not won in 13 matches or triumphed at home in 2017. It has been reported that the Black Cats would pay Heckingbottom £750,000 per year on a three-year contract, which is several times more than he receives on his rolling 12-month Barnsley contract.
"I've been told about the numbers of what I am apparently earning here and what Sunderland are offering. I hear some cracking stuff. Once people start talking about the details of the salary then you know they are probably even further from the truth. I am on a rolling contract. But you can sign a ten-year deal and all it is worth is what a club have to pay for you if they were to buy you out of the contract."
Heckingbottom was asked if he had spoken to the Barnsley board about what the future holds at Oakwell, with a potential takeover set to be finalised in the coming weeks. He said: "My concern is not getting assurances from the club, it's just working with the players and getting the best out of them."
Heckingbottom spent four years at Sunderland as a player in 1990s but did not make a first team appearance.
