West Bromwich Albion manager Carlos Corberan has been linked with the vacant Saints job. _(Image: Richard Sellers/PA)_
WEST Brom manager Carlos Corberan declined to comment on the reports linking him to the vacant Saints job out of "respect" for West Brom fans.
Corberan, 41, is one of three names regularly linked with the hot seat at Southampton following Sport Republic's decision to sack Russell Martin last week.
Saints have now sounded out several managerial targets as their search for a new boss continues over 90 hours on from Martin's departure.
_BBC Birmingham & Black Country_ are the latest to report that West Brom have not received an official approach from Saints for Spanish coach Corberan.
Speaking ahead of West Brom's game against Bristol City on Sunday, Corberan broke his silence regarding the managerial vacancy at St Mary's.
He said: "For me, it is disrespectful to this great club and our amazing fans to be talking about something that is not related to West Bromwich Albion.
"I have the feeling that if you say I only focus on the game, and I don't talk about anything else, there can be speculation about this.
"I can only tell you that my full focus is to prepare for the next game. For me, I don't like that any of our fans can feel disrespected by any of these rumours.
West Brom boss Carlos Corberan has been linked with becoming the next Saints boss _(Image: PA)_ **READ MORE: [Southampton sound out several managers as search goes on](https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/sport/24806761.southampton-sound-several-managers-search-goes/)**
"I am clear on this. I will only speak about Bristol City, what we are going to do in the club and the things that we can control.
"I cannot talk about the things that I cannot control. I suffer not for me but for the people that can be affected.
"I have been in football many years, I have read rumours and I have been a part of rumours, even from my time in Leeds and then Huddersfield."
Asked if he feels uncomfortable about addressing the links due to how his comments can be perceived by different fans, Corberan said: "Exactly.
"That is why I say only want to talk about the games in front of us because that is my focus. But then it looks like you don't want to talk about other things."
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