Huddersfield boss Lee Clark has moved to distance himself with speculation linking him with the vacant manager's job at Fulham.
The Cottagers are searching for a new manager following the departure of Roy Hodgson to Liverpool last week. High-profile names like Sven-Goran Eriksson and Mark Hughes have been linked with the post but Clark, 37, would be an attractive option for the club's hierarchy and fans given that he played 149 times for the club over a six-year period.
However, Clark told Huddersfield's official website: "Most of the time I don't comment on speculation, but there has been absolutely no contact from Fulham and I don't want people to become unsettled."
Clark was a key part of the Fulham team that reached the top flight in 2001 and has seen his reputation as a manager rise after guiding Huddersfield to the League One play-offs last year.
But the Terriers boss admits neither he nor chairman Dean Hoyle have been contacted by the Barclays Premier League club, and insists he is solely focused on his current job at the Galpharm.
"I've spoken to Dean Hoyle, the chairman, and he has had no contact from Fulham, our chief executive Nigel Clibbens has had no contact from Fulham and I have had no contact from Fulham," Clark added.
Clark's leadership of Huddersfield is his first in management and a move to last year's Europa League finalists would be a big step up for the former Newcastle midfielder. And he admits he was shocked to see his name linked with the post.
Clark said: "It came as a genuine surprise to me when I saw the story on television, but I take the same attitude towards it that I do when our players get linked with clubs from a higher division - it's a good sign that these clubs are interested because it means that we are doing things right here.
"We've had a terrific first week of pre-season since the players came back on 28 June and we are all currently at our pre-season training camp - I'm completely focused on getting things ready for the new season with Huddersfield Town.
"I've been in the process of strengthening the squad all summer and I'm really pleased with the signings we have made so far; hopefully there might be a couple more ahead of the start of the season. I don't want anything to detract from what it a massive season for our club - and it won't."
Source: PA
