London - Peter Reid moved on Tuesday to dismiss reports linking him to the vacant managerial position at Sunderland.

The Thailand manager seemed to suggest in his newspaper column that he would be keen to the club he twice led to seventh position in the Premier League.

"I said that in a certain amount of time I want go back to England," he explained to reporters in Thailand.

"But I have a contract in Thailand that I want to fulfil. I didn't say I wanted to go back to Sunderland, sometimes in England you get misquoted.

"I haven't been offered the job at Sunderland and I will not take it if I am offered it. I haven't asked for the job at Sunderland.

"I have been there once and loved it, it's a great place but I am enjoying working here."

Worawi Makudi, president of the Football Association of Thailand, had earlier said: "I don't think he will (leave)."

Sunderland have been seeking a new manager since the resignation of Roy Keane last week.

Former Bolton manager Sam Allardyce remains the bookmakers' favourite, but Alan Curbishley, Gerard Houllier, Avram Grant, Martin Jol, Lothar Matthaeus and Felix Magath have all been linked with the job.

Former England manager Steve McClaren, who is now in Holland with FC Twente, has ruled himself out of the running. (dpa)