Bullish Mark Warburton has insisted he will not walk out on Brentford, despite rumours surrounding his future surfacing this morning.

The Bees boss started the day reeling at suggestions in the national press that he would not be in the hot seat next season, despite leading the club to their best season in 70 years.

Warburton, whose side went down 2-1 to Watford tonight, avoided commenting on the speculation but admitted it had come out the blue, despite the club being linked in the Spanish press with Rayo Vallecano boss Paco Jemez.

He said: “I found out when a friend rang me at 6am and told me to look in the newspapers – I had been looking forward to a lye in!

“It's been a hard day for me, but the club responded quickly. The club has made a statement, and there have been lots of rumours, but nothing has changed.

Overshadowed: Brentford's game against Watford tonight took place against a backdrop of rumour and intrigue

“I have started this job, and hope I have never given any indication that my focus has ever been with anything but the job in hand.

“It would be disrespectful for me to do anything other than help the players make the most of their opportunity. It's business as usual, and the focus is on Charlton now.

“It's been a difficult day in respect of what happened this morning, but the players have been outstanding, and I can't speak highly enough of them.

“They have been magnificent, as have the fans. These players deserve the absolute focus, and it's disappointing that we're talking about other things when we have worked so hard tonight.

“These players deserve the focus, it's not about me. The only hurt I have felt is that the focus is on me rather than them – that's the real disappointment.”