Wigan Athletic fans have been handed the news they wanted to hear ahead of Saturday's meeting with Nottingham Forest.
The Latics have kept hold of their popular boss Paul Cook, despite an approach from League One giants Sunderland.
The Black Cats are still searching for a manager after wielding the axe on Jack Ross with the club then places seventh in the third tier.
Five managers, all currently in work, have been approached for the role including Coventry City boss Mark Robins and Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth - and now it have emerged that Cook was on that shorlist.
The 52-year-old coach, who turned out for Coventry in the Premier League as a player, guided Wigan to safety last season against all odds, helped by ten-man victory against Leeds United.
On Sunday, the Sun claimed that Cook was interested in the role at the Stadium of Light with the club still among the favourites to secure League One promotion.
But the Chronicle has now reported that Wigan have declined Sunderland's request to speak to Cook.
The news will come as a big win for Wigan fans who have seen their side win two of the last four games in the fight for survival at the bottom of the Championship.
The Latics are currently placed 19th in the standings and could move six points clear of the dotted line with a win over Sabri Lamouchi's Forest.
