text: Steve McClaren has called the constant speculation linking him with Newcastle 'disrespectful' and insists his sole focus remains on trying to get Derby promoted to the Barclays Premier League. McClaren admitted there had been interest in him from Newcastle around the turn of the year, when Alan Pardew left as manager to take over at Crystal Palace. But with John Carver since appointed, the Rams head coach is reluctant to discuss the continuing reports. McClaren is understood to be one of two people on Newcastle's short list for the head coach role at St James' Park next season, according to reports in the North East. The other is thought to be Carver. Derby manager Steve McClaren has called speculation linking him with the Newcastle job as 'disrespectful' John Carver is the current incumbent in the Newcastle hotseat having replaced Alan Pardew in January . Reports this week have suggested that McClaren could leave Derby should, like last season, he fail to get them promoted from the Championship via the play-offs. Asked if he intended to still be in charge at the iPro Stadium at the start of the 2015-16 campaign, the former England boss said: 'I am contracted to Derby County, so yes. 'I have got a contract here for the next two years after this and I hope to honour that contract. 'But it is football, that might change, who knows. But at the present moment I am the Derby County head coach and will remain so until things change. 'So, let's get on with the job. My goal is to get in the play-offs and do as well as we can.' On the reports linking him with Newcastle, McClaren added: 'I haven't got a clue if I'm a candidate for the Newcastle job. McClaren insists his sole focus is steering Derby to  promotion at the end of the season . 'I think there was no secret that there was an interest in December and January. We talked about that and in the end they didn't have a manager then. 'What they did was appoint a manager [John Carver] and that is what they have got, and he is fighting for the job. 'While somebody is in a job it is a little bit disrespectful. It's disrespectful to John Carver, to Newcastle, my focus is purely on Derby. 'But this is newspapers and this is what they do, they speculate. At the present moment Newcastle doesn't interest me, I am not thinking about that. I am thinking solely of Derby.'
target: Steve McClaren says Newcastle were interested in him to become their new manager after Alan Pardew left the club for Crystal Palace .
  The former England boss is believed to be on the shortlist for the Newcastle job next term .
  McClaren is on course to reach the play-offs with Derby this season .