Sam Allardyce is ‘surprised’ by speculation he could leave Everton this summer.
Several coaches have been linked with the Goodison Park hot seat as Allardyce continues to underwhelm since replacing Ronald Koeman in November last year.
Shakhtar Donestk boss Paulo Fonseca and Marco Silva, who left Watford in January, are among the names in the frame tipped for the role.
The Blues head into Saturday’s lunchtime showdown with Burnley having lost six of their previous nine matches under the former England manager.
Allardyce signed an 18-month contract upon his arrival at Everton and admits he is taken aback by suggestions he could depart at the end of this season.
He said: “I am here as long as I win football matches, and if you don’t win football matches it doesn’t matter how long your contract is.
“At the moment we are in a very good position. I am slightly surprised about the situation [speculation].
“But you can look at the two differences between us: good at home and not good enough away from home.”
Allardyce also shot down suggestions that Everton’s poor away form is his responsiblity, with the club winning just one of their 14 games on the road.
Instead, the 63-year-old chose to point to the records under both Koeman and Roberto Martinez before him.
“The away form is a long-standing problem at the club. It didn’t arrive at my tender – it’s been under Ronald and Roberto,” added Allardyce.
“It’s not something we want, it’s something I have to remedy, but it’s a long-standing problem. 2017 was only two games won. 2016/17, in two years, it’s been seven games.
“It’s been there a while and my job is to sort the away results out.
“We were close at Watford.”