While flattered by links to a move overseas, Western Sydney Wanderers coach Marko Rudan insists he has unfinished business at the club and is desperate to deliver an elusive A-League Men title.
Rudan, who spent a year of his playing career in the J-League with Avispa Fukuoka, has been tipped for a move to Japan to follow in the coaching footsteps of Ange Postecoglou and Kevin Muscat.
No specific club was named in the recent reports, but the 48-year-old is off contract at the end of the current season.
Rudan has earned praise for turning the Wanderers into a premiership threat after years of mediocrity.
Western Sydney have continued on an upward trajectory this year and are undefeated through their opening six games and sit second on the table.
While admitting the Japanese interest was genuine, Rudan says he has more to accomplish with the Wanderers after last season ending a six-year finals drought.
"There's interest there, but that's all it is," Rudan said on Thursday.
"I don't have an agent, so I'm not sure how it got out.
"But in saying that, I'm no different to others. I'm very ambitious as a coach and I want to keep going forward in my career.
"I'm totally focused on my job here.
"We're headed in the right direction but the big goal is to create history for this football club ... and deliver the first ever title.
"That's front and centre of what drives me every day."
Rudan received a welcome boost as the Wanderers prepare to continue their title chase at home to Melbourne Victory on Sunday, with the news captain Marcelo has been cleared of a serious achilles injury.
The Brazilian defender was substituted out of last week's 2-2 draw with Brisbane.
Already without star striker Brandon Borrello for up to three months with a broken foot, Rudan said he hoped to bolster his side's attacking depth in the January transfer window.
The Wanderers have two quota spots available to sign a foreign import.
"(Marcelo) felt a lot of pain there but the best possible scenario was what happened," Rudan said of his injured skipper.
"He's been off his feet and he's touch and go this week, but if it's not this week it'll be the week after.
"We've got cover (at centre back), it's not to say we won't look at someone in that position.
"But with Borrello out long term that's more the area I'm looking at."
