Friday 8 May 2015 10:29, UK
Newcastle manager John Carver has insisted he is the best coach in the Premier League despite his side staring relegation in the face following eight straight defeats.
Following a 3-0 defeat at Leicester on Saturday which left the club just two points clear of the relegation zone with three games left, Carver held an emergency meeting with managing director Lee Charnley, reportedly with his job on the line.
But the Magpies boss insists there was never any discussion about a possible resignation and nothing can distract him from trying to keep Newcastle in the top-flight.
"I still think I'm the best coach in the Premier League," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that, but I do. I'm a positive guy.
"It's a tough time but if I walk around with a face on the floor then it will affect everyone around me. I still have the enthusiasm for it and take no notice of what goes on on the outside."
The situation on Tyneside is dire, with the team in freefall and swathes of fans abstaining from matches at St James' Park, calling for Mike Ashley's departure with banners and protests outside the stadium.
Newspapers reported on Monday that Carver had offered to resign and that Newcastle had approached Derby manager Steve McClaren to oversee the run-in, but Sky sources understand none of this was true.
And ahead of his side's crucial Premier League clash at home to West Brom this weekend, Carver confirmed: "I never offered to resign, or walk away or step aside.
"They never asked me to step aside either. Once I had a conversation with Lee and knew what my position was, I was clear in my head that I would be here for the next three games.
"Speculation about other managers coming in has been going in since I took the job so I don't take any notice of it. I'm not interested in anything else other than this football club and the massive game we've got coming up this weekend."
