Oxford United confirm they have turned down Blackpool's request to speak to manager Karl Robinson

The Seasiders had identified Robinson as their top target to replace Simon Grayson, who was sacked earlier this month.

But Blackpool's official approach has been turned down, The U's have confirmed.

Chairman Sumrith Thanakarnjanasuth said: “When a club is doing well there will always be interest in the manager as well as players; that is inevitable and we thank Blackpool for going through the right procedure.

"Everything has been done properly and we wish them well in their search for a new manager.

“Karl is a central part of what we are building and I hope will be here for many years to come.

“To set the record straight, we spoke to Blackpool yesterday before the game but I didn’t want to disturb Karl’s pre-match routine.

"It was unfortunate that rumours started coming out just before kick off, but I rang immediately after the game although Karl was very busy as usual at that time, and by that stage it was 5am in Bangkok and even I need a little sleep sometimes!

“We talked this morning, and we talked a lot about last night’s game, an important win, and then about our plans for the rest of the season.

"The team is playing so well right now and we are chasing down the teams above us. It is going to be such an exciting finish and we look forward to facing the challenge together.”

Robinson, speaking after his side's 3-0 win over Accrington Stanley last night, claimed he hadn't been made aware of Blackpool's interest.

“I think I should have been called if we’ve had a phone call, 100 per cent," he said.

“In some ways you’ve got to respect the fact that we had a game tonight, maybe that’s the case.

“We have a good relationship and work hard together and are a close unit.

“I just think I’ll get more clarity in the morning.

“We’ll deal with it immediately. I won’t let this run, it’s not right to let it run.”

Robinson, who briefly played for the Seasiders as a youngster, currently has his Oxford side sitting in eighth place in League One, just one point off the play-offs.

He has previously managed MK Dons and Charlton Athletic.

Robinson, who has turned Oxford's fortunes around in the last year, also admitted to being frustrated over the backing he's received from the club's board.

The U's sold Shandon Baptiste and Tariqe Fosu to Brentford during the January transfer window while efforts to sign players fell through.

“This team, if they stick together and we spend money on it, can achieve great things," Robinson added.

“But it has to have that second aspect of it to become successful.

“Because if we don’t, we’ll just become like the rest – and that’s me being brutally honest.

“I’m hearing this club is here to be successful and they are the conversations I have on a consistent basis."

Meanwhile Simon Rusk, head of Brighton and Hove Albion's Under-23 side, has also emerged as a contender.