Peter Reid has dismissed reports linking him to the vacant managerial position at Sunderland.

Reid, currently in charge of the Thailand national team, was quoted as saying he would be interested in returning to the Stadium of Light in his newspaper column this morning, however the former Leeds United manager went back on that statement after Thailand's 6-0 win over Laos, claiming he had been misquoted.

"I said that in a certain amount of time I want go back to England," Reid said. "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."

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

Questioned further about claims there is a clause in Reid's contract allowing him to return to England, Worawi replied: "For holiday, yes."

More than 30 credible candidates have initiated contact regarding the position that Keane vacated last week and the next few days will be spent sifting through a heartening number of applications and then drawing up a shortlist. Even if an appointment was to be made on Friday, that time-scale alone suggests that Sbragia will be in the dugout this weekend.

While Sunderland remain in the relegation zone after their stoppage-time 1-0 defeat by Manchester United, they are only five points short of tenth place and time is less of a pressing factor for Niall Quinn, the chairman, and his board than attracting the right man to Wearside.

To date, some prominent figures have made it known that they would be eager to replace Keane, including Sam Allardyce, Alan Curbishley, Gérard Houllier, Avram Grant, Peter Reid, Martin Jol, Lothar Matthäus and Felix Magath and the odds on Jol, the Hamburg coach and former Tottenham Hotspur manager, plunged on Saturday. Quinn spoke to Allardyce and Curbishley, who are out of work, before Keane’s arrival two years ago and they head the list of bookmakers’ favourites.

Allardyce remains the bookmakers' favourite, but another man who has distanced himself from the job today is Steve McClaren.

"It's nonsense," McClaren said. "I have no interest whatsoever in returning to England at the moment."

However, goalkeeper Marton Fulop admits the sooner the situation is resolved, the better for all concerned.

"The good thing now would be to get a replacement as soon as possible so we can move forward as a squad and a club and try to build some better results," he said.

Fulop was quick to deny claims that the players celebrated after learning Keane's reign had come to an end.

"Of course we didn't celebrate. Everyone was right behind the gaffer," he added. "I don't know why he left, but if we as players produced better results, then I guess he would still be here."