Andy Hessenthaler has assured Dover Athletic fans he is "staying put" at Crabble following speculation linking him with the vacant manager’s job at Watford.

Some bookmakers are making Hessenthaler odds-on favourite for the post following Brendan Rodgers’ departure from Vicarage Road to become Reading manager.

Hessenthaler (pictured right) is a popular former Hornets player and was similarly being touted as the club’s next manager after Aidy Boothroyd left last autumn but the position was eventually filled by Rodgers.

And Hessenthaler said this week: "I can assure everyone that I’m fully focused on Dover Athletic and next season.

"Since Brendan Rodgers left Watford, I’ve received telephone calls and texts from people connected with the club (Dover) and I’ve told them that I’m staying put.

"All my thoughts are on Dover and the challenge that Conference South football will bring next season."

Whites chairman Jim Parmenter insisted: "I have had no contact from Watford and the position is that Andy has two more years left on his contract and is staying here.

"I spoke to Andy on Monday and he said he was happy here – that’s good enough for me. But if the time comes when he wants to move on, then I am sure I will be one of the first to know because that’s the sort of straight guy that he is."

Hessenthaler, meanwhile, has assured supporters the club’s days of boom-and-bust are over and he had rejected outrageous wage demands from some transfer targets.

He said: "What happened to Dover in the past has been well-chronicled. The club sailed close to the wind and the chairman is adamant those days will never return.

"Unfortunately, too many players have still to grasp the reality of the recession and continue to talk in telephone numbers. But I will not break my budget."