Burnley boss Sean Dyche: "It is nice to be spoken about positively" - but focus remains on job at Turf Moor

The Clarets boss has long been a regular in the gossip columns, and there are again suggestions Crystal Palace could come in for him if Roy Hodgson leaves Selhurst Park at the end of his contract at the end of the season.

Dyche himself has another year remaining on his Turf Moor contract, and he is relaxed about his situation at Burnley, as he gets on with the job of securing a sixth-successibe season in the top flight, before turning attentions to his future: "I am not really bothered with myself.

"I have made it clear that my first objective is to be in the Premier League which it often is, so my focus is on that.

"I ask that of my players to make sure they are looking one game at a time, and that is clear for myself.

"I have to look beyond that for a management side, but generally my focus is on the next game and that is the most important thing.

"I have been linked to clubs before but I am still here."

Alan Pace took over as chairman from Mike Garlick - with whom Dyche had a strained relationship - in January, and he feels there is a "very healthy" partnership developing.

Pace feels Dyche is the club's crown jewel, and effectively has a job for life, if he wants it, and Dyche said: "The bigger picture of this club, of course talks are ongoing with the chairman and the varying people that he has brought in, but mainly with the chairman about what the next steps are and what the club feel is right for the next step.

"I think they are getting a grip on what they need to around the club.

"They are getting a feel around the people and how it operates.

"There is ongoing talks about how they want to move it forward.

"It is all about building relationships but I think it is very healthy between me and Alan at the moment, very open, so we will see where that takes us."

On the speculation, Dyche admitted: "It is a sign of respect from outside of your work place. I value that, whether it is fact or fiction it is still nice to be spoken about positively, or generally positively.

"But it has happened to me many times, it has happened to my players many times, which is a positive in a sense that there must be some value to what we do here.

"But I am still here and I have said that for many years over many different connections in all sorts of situations.

"I am still here and I focus on what the next job in hand is, and that is working hard with these players to make sure we continue our journey in the Premier League."