KARL Robinson has played down rumours linking him with the manager’s job at West Bromwich Albion.

The odds against the Oxford United head coach taking over at The Hawthorns shortened dramatically over the weekend, although reports have since distanced him from the role and ex-U’s boss Chris Wilder is the strong favourite.

Sam Allardyce took charge of his final West Brom game yesterday at Leeds United, having decided to leave following their relegation from the Premier League.

Earlier this month, the former England manager praised Robinson, who coached under Allardyce at Blackburn Rovers at the start of his career.

Read also: Karl Robinson proud as Oxford United go down fighting at Blackpool

But in the wake of the Sky Bet League One play-off semi-final defeat to Blackpool the U’s boss said he was unaware of any interest.

Robinson added: “It’s probably because me and Sam worked together for two years.

“I don’t really have the energy to talk about any other job.

“I’ve got a long-term contract here.”

Robinson has been linked with Championship sides AFC Bournemouth and Birmingham City since the turn of the year and has steered United to top-six finishes in consecutive seasons.

This achievement was hailed by Allardyce, who told Sky Sports: “I look at someone like Karl Robinson, who’s done a terrific job getting Oxford in the play-offs while having to balance the books.

“Will he do enough to get noticed and move up? That’s another matter.”

Read also: The players released by League One clubs this summer

Robinson is under contract at United until 2024 and has repeatedly spoken about his hunger to take the club higher.

In March, he revealed he wanted to make the U’s a ‘top-30’ team in England over the next five years, which would mean competing in the top half of the Championship.

That came four days before it was announced United’s Indonesian investors were looking to buy the majority stake in the club, with talks still ongoing.

Wilder is not the only former United manager rumoured to be in the running, with Michael Appleton an outsider having taken Lincoln City to the League One play-off final.