Friday 9 September 2016 11:52, UK
Mike Phelan is hopeful he can reach an agreement with Hull City to become their permanent manager, despite admitting the two sides remain far apart in negotiations.
Phelan has been in charge at the KCOM Stadium on an interim basis since Steve Bruce's shock departure three weeks before the Premier League season got underway.
Hull announced a fortnight ago that a deal had been agreed to sell the club to a Chinese consortium but that deal is understood to have hit a hitch.
The uncertainty surrounding Hull's ownership is having a knock-on effect on Phelan but he says he is staying focused on preparing the team for this weekend's Premier League game against Burnley.
"We had a discussion last week and we are still talking about the situation," Phelan said.
"But it is really irrelevant as far as I am concerned from the point of view that it is all about preparing this team to play in the Premier League.
"Those discussions will carry on. It is not that it has ended - they are still open. But we just focus on the game."
When asked if he expects the matter to get resolved, Phelan said: "I hope so. I have been sat in this chair for a number of weeks. The team is doing well. The players are performing to the best of their ability.
"We have now added to that group of players so I am looking forward to the challenge ahead. Why wouldn't I want to be sitting in this chair a little bit more often?"
After beginning the season with just 13 fit senior players, Hull significantly bolstered their squad at the end of the transfer window by signing Cardiff City goalkeeper David Marshall, Tottenham midfielder Ryan Mason and Manchester United duo Will Keane and James Weir.
The Tigers also agreed loan deals for Dynamo Kiev forward Dieumerci Mbokani and AZ Alkmaar's Norway international Markus Henriksen.
Phelan admits he is relieved to have finally strengthened his squad but reassured the players who have contributed to Hull's strong start that their contributions will not be overlooked.
"It has given us a little bit of belief and we now have a squad that is going to be more competitive," Phelan said.
"All six of the new signings are available for Saturday's game. We have selection problems now but the players who started the season have done really well so it would be wrong to dismiss them."
