Alan Curbishley has dismissed reports linking him with the manager's job at Sunderland.

Reports surfaced last week claiming the Black Cats were lining up a move for the former Charlton and West Ham manager to help them stave off the threat of relegation.

Sunderland chairman Niall Quinn played down the speculation on Thursday insisting the board fully support current manager Ricky Sbragia and Curbishley did the same this morning.

"No truth whatsoever,” he told Sky Sports News, though he ruled out managing outside the top flight after a seven month sojourn since leaving the Hammers.

"The last ten years I have had in the Premier League and my average position has been tenth or mid-table or boring mid-table as people call it.

"But I feel that is perhaps where I should be and that is what I will be hoping to get."

Curbishley also rejected the possibility of returning to former club Charlton to help them out of their current struggles.

Charlton could be relegated to League One this weekend if they lose to Blackpool and Curbishley believes the board must take some of the blame for their slump because of the managerial merry go round at The Valley.

"Decision making has perhaps not been as good as it should have been," added Curbishley. "Two managers in 25 years, one manager in 15 years then suddenly three or four managers in a couple of years and it is very, very difficult as the club was built on stability."