Stoke City manager Mark Hughes has insisted that he will not "encourage" speculation linking him to the Everton job.
The 52-year-old is believed to be on Everton's shortlist of potential managers to replace Roberto Martinez.
The Spaniard's future is expected to be the topic of discussion at a board meeting this week, which could spell the end for Martinez.
The Merseyside outfit are currently 11th in the Premier League table, 18 points adrift of a European place with four games left to play.
Amid the uncertainty, Bournemouth boss Eddie Howe has been linked to the position, while Hughes is also thought to be a contender, but the Stoke manager will not entertain the rumours.
"It is just speculation and I don't encourage that," Hughes told reporters. "The talk about jobs, I have had that against me before. I didn't like it so I wouldn't want to comment and encourage that sort of speculation against someone who is in the job already.
"It's just speculation and I don't encourage it, especially when someone is in the position. It's happened to me in the past and I didn't appreciate it."
Hughes has been Stoke boss since 2013.
Danielle Joynson
