Steve McClaren has reaffirmed his “100%” commitment to Derby County amid continuing speculation linking him with Newcastle United.

Newcastle approached the former England manager at the weekend with a view to him taking over for the final three games of the season as the club were plunged into a relegation battle after losing eight games in succession in the Premier League.

McClaren was previously linked with St James’ Park as a possible long-term successor to John Carver, who has only been appointed until the end of the season.

But McClaren said on Sky Sports News: “I reiterate what I said on Saturday straight after the game, and what I’ve said to the board and the players yesterday – I’m 100% committed to finishing the job here.

“I hear the speculation, I see it, but I’m 100% committed to Derby County at this point. I’ve been saying it for months, that my total focus, my total commitment, is on Derby County.”

McClaren’s side topped the Championship two months ago but a poor run-in led them to finish out of the play-off positions in eighth.

McClaren, 54, said: “There is still a lot more to come from this team and this club. The aim is to get into the Premier League.

“For threequarters of the season we were one of the best teams in the league, we were top of the league. We looked as if we were going to go on.

“Since that moment a lot of things have gone wrong but it is not a bad team, it is not a bad football club overnight. That is why I want to stay here and finish the job.”