Ian Holloway has branded reports claiming he walked out on Blackpool this week as 'ludicrous'.
Seasiders boss responds to quit reports
Ian Holloway has branded reports claiming he walked out on Blackpool this week as 'ludicrous'.
The Seasiders boss led his unfashionable outfit to promotion last season and is set to line up as a Premier League manager in 2010/11.
He is learning quickly that life in the top flight is not always plain sailing, with those competing at the highest level unable to step out of the limelight.
Such intense scrutiny leads to rumour and speculation, with the more colourful characters invariably stealing the show.
Holloway certainly falls into that category and has already found himself at the centre of a story claiming he had quit the Blackpool hot-seat over a contract dispute.
Mad house
He claims nothing could be further from the truth, as he is relishing the opportunity to test himself against the best in the business next term.
With the Seasiders currently looking to piece together a squad capable of holding their own against England's elite, Holloway is adamant that he is going nowhere and will continue to give his all for as long as he remains at Bloomfield Road.
"We will be doing things, but we will be doing what suits us," he told
Sky Sports News on his pre-season preparations.
"We will be doing it together, we will be sticking together and we will be working together. That's what got us where we are. When I say 'we', I mean the lads, the staff and the chairman.
"We are all in this together, whatever people might write and might try to cobble together as a complete pathetic story. Good luck to them but they won't drive a wedge between any of us.
"There have been all sorts of rumours flying about everywhere, including myself walking out. That is about as ludicrous as it gets, but it's a mad house in the Premiership and I'm glad I'm in it."
Dispute
Meanwhile, Holloway has also lifted the lid on his decision to allow Hameur Bouazza to leave the club as a free agent this summer.
"I don't think myself and Hameur Bouazza fitted each other very well," he said on the Algerian winger who has since linked up with French outfit Arles-Avignon.
"He didn't turn up for the last month of the season, which really upset the players as well as me.
"I wouldn't do that to anyone, so why did he do that to us? That's why we aren't keeping him."
