Mark Hughes is on Newcastle United's radar and the Blackburn Rovers manager now appears to be rivalling Harry Redknapp as a contender for the vacancy created by Sam Allardyce's sacking on Wednesday.
While Redknapp, currently in charge of Portsmouth, remains the bookmakers' favourite, Newcastle's apparent interest in Hughes was described as "a sensitive subject" at Ewood Park yesterday where officials were fearing an approach from the Tyneside club.
By late afternoon, though, none was forthcoming at either Blackburn or Portsmouth, who released a statement on their website stressing that they had received no request for Redknapp's services and would not welcome one.
Although Portsmouth's manager also distanced himself from the St James' Park job, saying he had "heard nothing" and was "happy" at Fratton Park, it is understood that overtures have been made and Newcastle been informed they will have to pay at least €2 million in compensation to remove Redknapp from the South Coast.
Everton chairman Bill Kenwright says there is "no truth whatsoever" in rumours David Moyes is being lined up as Newcastle's next manager.
Kenwright said he had spoken to Newcastle owner Mike Ashley, who assured him they were not chasing Moyes.
"Mike came on the phone and I said: 'Listen, do you know there's rumours sweeping round Newcastle and Liverpool that you are after David?'," Kenwright said.
"He said: 'Even if David was the greatest manager in the world - and I know you think he is - there's no way on God's Earth we would ever, ever do that kind of thing to Everton'.
"There is no truth in it whatsoever."
Kenwright added that he understood the pressure chairmen are under, but believes that managers do need an amount of time at a club in order to make changes.
"At the end of the day it's all about loyalty," said Kenwright, adding: "David Moyes is the man that we are privileged to call our manager."