Wigan Athletic have confirmed that no clubs have been given permission to speak to manager Paul Cook ahead of Sunday's Championship clash with Nottingham Forest.
Cook was among the favourites for the vacant Sunderland hotseat following Jack Ross' sacking by the League One club.
The Latics boss led his current club out of the third tier in 2017-18, and there were reports that Cook was one of the bosses the Black Cats were interested in speaking to as Wigan's meeting with Forest approached.
But Latics chief executive Jonathan Jackson says no permission has been granted.
"No club have been given permission to speak to our manager," he said at a fans' forum.
"A few clubs are looking for managers at the moment and we have to respect their privacy."
Cook's Wigan sit three points above the Championship relegation zone ahead of Sunday's DW Stadium clash, while Forest are aiming to continue an unbeaten run which stretches back to the opening day and sees them within goal difference of the summit at this stage.
