Town boss Mick McCarthy says he must being doing something right if he’s being linked with jobs elsewhere, with Championship strugglers Fulham reportedly keen to poach him in the summer.

“I’ve got a two-year contract here,” McCarthy said when quizzed on the reports. “Somebody told me about that the other day. There’s nothing I can do about it.

“If somebody mentions my name it means I’m doing a good job elsewhere - great if someone thinks that.”

McCarthy, 56, signed the new deal running until June 2017 last summer having taken over at Town in November 2012.

Fulham are currently 20th in the Championship, nine points off the relegation zone, and have had a poor season following their relegation from the Premier League last May, despite the significant advantage of parachute payments.

Current manager Kit Symons took over, initially as a caretaker-boss, following the departure of Felix Magath in September, agreeing a deal until the summer of 2016.

McCarthy says he’s happy with Town: “Absolutely, but if Manchester United come and ask me to go up there I’ll be going. That is the case in point.

“But Man United won’t be asking me and I won’t be going up there and I did sign that contract and I’m happy with it, I’m delighted to be here. And I cannot do anything about what people write.

“But do you know what? I’m kind of glad my name does get a mention because I see some of the names which get a mention for jobs and I think ‘How the flipping hell is that happening?’ when I’ve been doing it for 23 years and I’ve got as good a record in the Championship, probably better, than anybody else who is doing it. But I can’t do anything about that, I’m happy here.”

The former Ireland, Sunderland, Wolves and Millwall boss recalls being overlooked in favour of younger, less experienced but perhaps more fashionable managers along with Hull City boss Steve Bruce prior to his appointment at Town.

“Remember me and Brucey were out of work and we were both having a little bleat about it? Maybe we’re seen as the old school. But kind of works, doesn’t it? And I don’t know how many new ideas there are, to be honest with you. I want to get promoted with us, that’s what I want to do. That’s my bag.”

Photo: Action Images

karls_dad added 12:08 - Apr 11 Before MM came there were two name in the running, i still wonder what Holloway would have been like here! he did wonders with Blackpool with very limited funds, if nothing else he would have made us all laugh!
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Seasider added 12:25 - Apr 11 It would appear from reports that Marcus would be compensated were Mick to go. I dont like his way of playing teams after seeing many years of pass and move etc,it is quite frankly awful. However I appreciate what he and TC have done for this club;but after 2 1/2 yrs despair of him changing ethos;so am on the fence on this one. If he goes or stays, is something that I cant influence;so will continue to support the Town as I have for over 50 years whatever.

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pointofblue added 12:47 - Apr 11 It feels like a shot across the fans' bows to me - "Respect what I've done as there are other clubs out there who appreciate me."
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airliner added 13:36 - Apr 11 Let's not object to others opinions, I can't stand some posters who can't read others opinions without calling them dick head supporters . This is a forum not a fight , just read the opinions and disagree in your head, fighting other fans by posting is counter productive . The reason we are not doing brilliantly like Bournemouth , is because the midfield contributes hardly any goals, the engine room of the team . Mick has done well on a very limited budget, I would not blame him if he went to Fulham.

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blueboy1981 added 13:42 - Apr 11 ... tactics and stubbornness responsible for where we are right now - NOT funds or ability.
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oldegold added 16:50 - Apr 12 Whilst appreciating that he has steadied the ship since the clueless Jewell period and allowing for us sneaking a place in the Play offs,he is not the manager who is going to do a George Burley à la 2000, taking the Premiership by storm as his style of football would never consent it. His is more of a stabilising hand but not a protagonist and his style of soccer is more suited to survival and reasonable consolidation and said bluntly, no more than that. He is not a stormy petrel but a consolidator and i'm not knocking that and calling for his head but if he are to end 13 years of Championship water treading, we would have to consider a younger manager rooted in the Ipswich tradition of playing open attacking soccer. Agree with blueboy1981 that supporters can bleat on and on that he has done miracles with limited funds but my understanding is that he was aware in October 2012 that there were no funds on the table anyway. He has taken a leaf out of the Paul Jewell loan book philosophy and since February stocked up on 5 loan players, which must have undermined morale somewhat. When a manager resorts to loanees, I believe it's a sign that the grasp on matters is slipping and we should be promoting our own home grown lads.I hope against Cardiff and Wolves, we will take the game to the opposition but I doubt it as it is not in his nature to be adventurous and play with flair and even if he did, he wouldn't admit to having ballsed up the promotion challenge since early January by his lack of devil and addiction to hoofball.

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austractor added 04:49 - Apr 13 If we were 6th from bottom instead of top, but playing total football, you would be calling for Mick's head anyway. There is no pleasing some people but I for one am enjoying this season far more than the last 34 years of shizzle. If Mick took Arsenal on loan and played the same way, then I might complain.
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austractor added 04:50 - Apr 13 I ofcourse meant 3 or 4 years :D
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