Charlton manager Alan Curbishley today refused to rule himself out of the running for the vacant job at Tottenham.
Curbishley, 45, has emerged as the bookmakers' favourite to succeed Glenn Hoddle at White Hart Lane, yet the Premiership's second-longest serving boss says he does not expect to be offered the chance to do so.
Charlton chairman Richard Murray attempted to ward off any potential interest from the other side of the Thames last week when he suggested it would cost Spurs £5million in compensation.
Although Curbishley remains vague on the issue, he did suggest that kind of figure made him laugh.
Recent reports have suggested the former West Ham and Aston Villa midfielder, who has been in charge of the Addicks since 1991, has a £1million get-out clause in his Valley contract, which has the best part of three years to run.
"I could categorically say I am not interested, I could categorically say I would be interested if I did get offered it - it is a load of nonsense at the moment and until something gives we won't know either way," Curbishley said.
"Who knows what Spurs will do? They have not made an approach and I don't think they will. At the moment it is all hypothetical because I might not be on anybody's list.
"There is a situation where they do not have a manager and it might be that they keep David Pleat there - all I do know is that I am here and very happy to be here and preparing for this weekend."
Curbishley, joined among the front-runners for the position by Martin O'Neill and Graeme Souness, has attempted to keep his players' focus on Saturday's match at Portsmouth.
But they have not been able to ignore the brewing speculation - Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy was due to return from holiday in South Africa before this weekend's fixtures.
Curbishley said: "They all laughed about the compensation and the £5million made me splutter a little bit - perhaps I should go and get a new contract if that is the sort of money that is flying around.
"I have got a quiet, sensible chairman except when he talks about big compensation!"
According to Curbishley the pair have not discussed the issue but he added: "Things can change quickly in football and I read the other day that Steve Bruce was labouring for a couple of months while he tried to find another job.
"Football is so volatile, you just can't say where you are going to be or what you are going to do. All I do know is that I have got my sights firmly fixed on finishing in the top half of the Premiership this year."
Curbishley has been linked with other clubs in recent seasons, most notably West Ham, Aston Villa and Leeds and the fact he has remained loyal raises questions about his long-term ambition.
But he countered: "I am happy at Charlton and I don't think being at a club for six or seven years is a lack of ambition. That has been labelled on me on a couple of occasions just because I decided to stay where I am.
He will be involved in talks with Spurs director of football Pleat over the weekend about the loans of Chris Perry and Paul Konchesky.
That duo are due to switch back to their permanent employers after Saturday's matches unless agreement is struck otherwise.