Carlisle United boss Chris Beech insists he has no interest in “jumping ship” from the Blues.

The head coach has figured highly in the betting this week for the vacancy at his home-town club Fleetwood.

Beech, though, appeared to distance himself from the prospect when asked by the News & Star.

United’s boss said the connection was unavoidable given his long-standing links to the League One club.

But the 46-year-old, who recently extended his Carlisle contract, said he was keen to remain on the “journey” at Brunton Park.

The United boss’s father and two uncles played for Fleetwood – as did Beech himself towards the end of his playing career.

He is as short as 4/1 with some bookmakers for the post after Joey Barton’s departure.

Beech, who has impressed by turning United from relegation strugglers into League Two leaders, said: “I’d be lying if I said I’m not aware of it [the odds], because everybody contacts you saying, ‘what’s happening?’ – of course they do.

“I have a lot of respect for Fleetwood. It’s my home town, I love going back there, seeing my mum and dad, walking down the sea front, and often watch Fleetwood games.

“I do know the chairman [Andy Pilley] very well, my family’s associated with the club. It’s pointless denying it.

“But in terms of how you would class ‘jumping ship’ or doing something like that at this point…I have no interest in that.

“I’m attached to this journey we started back when I first came to this football club [in November 2019].

“I love working for Carlisle and I feel very attached to the players we’ve recruited and what we’re doing. I think that comes out in our work.”

Caretaker Simon Wiles remains the bookies’ favourite for the Fleetwood job with Danny Cowley, Tim Cahill, Paul Cook and Michael Duff also linked.