Leicester City boss Brendan Rodgers has revealed he has addressed intense speculation linking him with Manchester United with his senior players.
The former Celtic manager is among the bookies favourites to succeed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer but he has been firm in rebuffing links with the Old Trafford vacancy.
Rodgers' work at the King Power has attracted admiring glances and he is being tipped for Manchester United, alongside the likes of Erik Ten Hag, Mauricio Pochettino and Zinedine Zidane.
But the rumour mill spinning into overdrive has led to Rodgers speaking with key Foxes players in a bid to avoid unsettling his squad after a poor start to their Premier League season.
He said; “I spoke to the (Leicester) leadership group.
“I was aware that over the past few weeks… I didn’t read so much, I don’t, but I heard little bits and pieces.
“It stabilises everything. You (the media) know how this gossip arises, and normally I don’t even think about it, but I understand that it may have a bearing for other people.
“It was a case of stabilising that by speaking to our senior guys. They know my commitment to them, they know my commitment to the club, and also to us becoming a better team.”
Meanwhile, Rodgers couldn't hide his frustration with the unrest within the King Power Stadium from supporters during their 3-0 defeat against Chelsea.
And he is calling for some perspective from the Foxes faithful as they lost for a fifth time against the Champions League holders.
He added: “I’ve got to say it’s very disappointing. We have a sense of perspective of where this team has been over these past few years. We’ve totally over-achieved to arrive not just in the top six but into in and around the top four and challenging, challenging some of these teams that are way above us in terms of budget and depth of squad.
“I was disappointed for the players because they’re such an honest group of players, and they have given so much. We’re not quite at our level of confidence, absolutely, and there are lots of challenges for us with people out and lots of games, and without that real depth of squad to cope with that, it’s difficult.
“To hear that at half-time was disappointing, especially against a team of Chelsea’s level. Yes, we weren’t great, but it’s something that’s so important for a player, because a player will feel that. Players need that encouragement, they need that shot in the arm, and that’s the biggest shot in the arm they can get.
“We’ll always respect the supporters’ feelings and how they are but I have a sense of perspective of where this team was and where they’ve grown to. We’ve got a bump in the road and we’re working so hard to be better. It was disappointing, but we always respect the supporters’ opinions.”
