Ramos remains set as Hughes dampens Spurs talk

The Blackburn boss has been installed by bookmakers as second favourite for the role dramatically vacated by Martin Jol last night but Sevilla coach Juande Ramos is understood to be close to agreeing a move to North London.

While not categorically dismissing the possibility, Hughes insisted his only focus was Rovers.

He said: "I've seen my name a couple of times linked with it but I just view that as a reflection on the job myself and the staff are doing here, and the players are doing."

He added: "My interest is solely in Blackburn Rovers."

Hughes believes Spurs have already decided on their next manager, with Sevilla boss Juande Ramos their top target and it is believed the club expect the Spaniard to take charge at White Hart Lane next week.

Spanish football journalist Graham Hunter told BBC Radio 5 Live that Spurs had made a "take-it-or-leave-it" offer to Ramos to become manager immediately.

"I would suggest any appointment that's to be made is obviously in place," Hughes said.

Ironically, Blackburn's next game is at White Hart Lane on Sunday, and Hughes acknowledged the speculation was poorly timed from his point of view.

"It's an inconvenience when you're going up against the team that you're supposedly linked with," he said.

"You can do without that."

Hughes believes Jol paid the price for Spurs' poor start to the season, which yielded just one Barclays Premier League win from 10 games.

"That's probably at the bottom of the reason why they felt they needed to make a change," Hughes said.

"We're in a results business and I'm sure that Martin, if he was honest, would be disappointed with the return that they've been able to have given the games that they've played."

Leeds today confirmed they have not "received an approach" from Tottenham for assistant manager Guy Poyet.

The Uruguayan enjoyed a successful spell at White Hart Lane between 2001-2004 and is believed to be seen as a potential assistant to Ramos at the Lane.

But Leeds said in a statement on the club's official website, www.leedsunited.com: "Despite the widespread speculation that emerged last night linking Gus Poyet with a potential role at Tottenham Hotspur within a new management team following the departure of Martin Jol, Leeds United can officially confirm we have neither received an approach from Tottenham for Poyet nor a request from him to be released from his contract with Leeds.

"Any approach from Tottenham for our assistant manager would not be welcome."