Ipswich Town's attempts to sound out Southend United chief Steve Tilson about their managerial vacancy have fallen on deaf ears.
The Suffolk club contacted their Championship rivals Blues at boardroom level with the aim of prising double promotion winning boss Tilson away from Roots Hall.
But the Portman Road outfit's efforts have been hit by a firm rebuff from Southend chairman Ron Martin, who will now invoke a clause in his manager's contract, cementing Tilson and assistant Paul Brush's futures at the club until 2010.
"The chairman informed me that Ipswich wanted to speak to me but they have been turned down," said Tilson.
"It is flattering to be courted by a club like Ipswich, who have a great history in football and are one of the bigger clubs in the Championship.
"And it's good of the chairman to keep me informed of what is happening but I'm very happy at Southend and feel we still have a lot more to achieve at Roots Hall."
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