Bristol Rovers manager Joey Barton "doesn't want to be anywhere else" amid speculation linking him with the vacant job at Premier League club Burnley.
The 39-year-old has been among the bookmakers' favourites for the top job at Turf Moor and was an odds-on favourite earlier in the week, but the promotion-winning Gas boss has poured cold water on suggestions he could leave the Mem.
The Burnley job has been vacant since the sacking of Sean Dyche, Barton's manager during his season at the club, in April with Mike Jackson in temporary charge as the Clarets fight to avoid relegation from the Premier League.
Barton cites the support of owner Wael Al-Qadi plus the opportunity afforded to him in north Bristol to turn the Gas, and by extension the city, into a football force as reasons for him to remain in BS7.
"I’ve loved every minute of it," Barton told BBC Radio Bristol on Thursday. "Everybody texts you when the betting market changes, but I’m very lucky to have an owner who has given me incredible support. I will forever be grateful for the support he has given me.
"He’s somebody who has got enormous ambition for the club and we’ve lived in the city now for the best part of 15 or 16 months. We have felt the energy off the fanbase and I don’t want to be anywhere else.
"I’m still learning. I’m four years in now but that’s my first promotion as a coach. I don’t want to be at the top before I feel I’ve got the skillset to be able to handle it. It’s incredibly difficult up there and I think I’m learning nicely in my job. Hopefully, with Bristol Rovers going forward, we can grow together."
Barton took charge at the Mem in February 2021 after Paul Tisdale's sacking. He was unable to prevent the Gas from slipping to the bottom of the table and suffered relegation to League Two, but he returned Rovers to the third tier at the first time of asking.
A thrilling season ended in fitting fashion with the Gas beating Scunthorpe United 7-0 on the final day to pip Northampton Town to third place on goals scored.
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