Kent coach Graham Ford has confirmed he will be staying with the club next season, despite being linked with the vacant New Zealand job.

Speaking after relegation to Division 2 of the county championship was confirmed on Saturday, Ford admitted there had been some media speculation surrounding his future.

"Nothing's changed as far as I'm concerned," he said. "New Zealand have approached me, we did have a discussion, but certainly nothing further than that."

Ford, who will return to his native South Africa this week, admits he's keen to help the squad bounce back to the championship's top flight in 2009.

"I don't want to run away when things haven't been at their best," he said. "There's a lot of resolve, a lot of determination within the dressing room.

"It's a fantastic group of guys to work with and I know they'll be giving 120 per cent to get back into the first division."

• Audio: Graham Ford commits his future to the St Lawrence >>>