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Brighton boss Graham Potter insists that reports linking him with the Tottenham job should be taken with “a pinch of salt” and insisted he is happy on the south coast.

Spurs are currently under the caretaker management of Ryan Mason and searching for a permanent successor to Jose Mourinho. The north London side have already been turned down by a number of top names, including the likes of Julian Nagelsmann, Brendan Rodgers, Erik ten Hag, Maurizio Sarri and Massimiliano Allegri.

However, the rumour mill continues to throw up names, including that of Potter – despite Brighton’s insistence he is going nowhere.

The Seagulls chief has earned plenty of plaudits for his style of football, despite his club’s struggles at the wrong end of the table.

And Potter admits that it’s difficult to ignore all the speculation, particularly when a big club is involved.

He said: “I think that’s the challenge of being a football coach, certainly in the modern day, there is speculation, positive and negative.

“It was only a few months ago I was answering questions whether I had the support of the chairman so you’ve got to take these things with a pinch of salt.

“My focus in on here. I am doing as well as I can, I feel I have the support of the board, the players, the staff, we’re in a really exciting moment in terms of we’ve done a lot of work and we want to carry that on.

“We haven’t finished anything here, there’s a lot to do and I am really happy here.”

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Mason reveals Levy chats

Meanwhile, Tottenham interim head coach Ryan Mason insists that talks about the next game have been the only subject of his negotiations with chairman Daniel Levy.

Mason has four matches left in his time in the dugout, as Spurs seek a more experienced manager next season. However, amid several setbacks, there remains a glimmer of possibility that the interim boss could get the job. He began his spell in charge with a win and his only defeat so far is still to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final.

Furthermore, he has seemingly got new life out of winger Gareth Bale.

The winger has endured a mixed loan spell from Real Madrid, previously working with Jose Mourinho. However, he recently lauded Mason for getting Spurs to play “the Tottenham way”.

Nevertheless, pressed again on his future in north London, the temporary boss insists that he is only focusing on the next task at hand.

He told a press conference (via Football London) when asked if making the top four could boost his chances of a permanent deal (via Football London): “That’s all hypothetical – ‘if we win, if we do this’.

“I’ve said all along my only focus is on the next game, I’m really not silly enough to start thinking ahead of certain situations. My mind has to be on this game tomorrow and then once that game’s out of the way my mind will be fully focussed on the next one.

“That’s all I have to say on that matter.”

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