Jorge Sampaoli has given short shrift to the rumours installing him as the favourite to replace Luis Enrique as Barcelona manager.
The Chilean heads a supposed shortlist of candidates to take over from the outgoing Enrique, who is set to step down from the post after three years in charge.
Speaking to Marca after Sevilla's slender 1-0 victory over Athletic Bilbao, however, Sampaoli insisted that there was no reason to speculate over his position as Sevilla boss, and claimed he was linked to the current club's project "to the death".
He said: "The Barcelona job? That question has no answer because it doesn't exist. I have no idea what is being said, at this stage of the season to speak of candidates doesn't make sense.
"I am connected with this sporting project at Sevilla to death."
Enrique announced on Wednesday that he planned to step away from the Barca managerial post after being left exhausted by the demanding role, and stated his desire to "rest" after three seasons at the helm.
Sevilla manager Jorge Sampaoli favourite for Barcelona job. Said he was first choice for Chelsea job last summer but English not good enough
His slightly shocking revelation led to much speculation on Thursday about the 47-year-old's potential successor at the Camp Nou, with Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger rejecting suggestions he might be open to taking up the hotseat and Everton manager Ronald Koeman dismissing rumours linking him with the role on Tuesday.
Sampaoli's impressive leadership of Sevilla saw him made the odds-on favourite to become La Blaugrana's next commander in chief, particularly with the 56-year-old's contract at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium due to expire in June 2018. However, the former Chile national team head coach stated that he was ready to sit down with Sevilla's hierarchy and begin discussions over extending his stay in the Andalusian region.
He added: "We still haven't met with representatives to express our future projects within the structure of the club, but to be sure, there are intentions to do so.''
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