Brendan Rodgers in vow to stay at Watford

Brendan Rodgers today dismissed speculation linking him with the Reading job.

The Watford manager has been the bookmakers' favourite since Steve Coppell resigned on Tuesday after Reading lost in the Championship play-off semi-finals.

Rodgers, though, has no plans to return to the Madejski this summer despite spending nine years there as Academy boss before moving to Chelsea in 2004.

The 36-year-old said: "Due to the amount of phone calls I have been having and the speculation, I felt I had to comment on it but I am not thinking about it. For me, in this moment, my full concentration is on next season with Watford."

Rodgers led Watford to 13th in the Championship even though they were in relegation trouble when he arrived in November.

"There is always going to be speculation as a manager and a coach," he said. "You are always honoured if you are linked with big jobs because it means you and your team are doing well."

Chairman Jimmy Russo said: "Why would he want to move sideways? It is not like he would be going to a Premier League club."