FOREST Green boss David Hockaday has distanced himself from the vacant manager’s job at Swindon Town.

He is one of the favourites to take over at his former club after Paolo Di Canio resigned earlier this week, but insists he has no intention of leaving Rovers.

“I haven’t been approached. I’m employed by Forest Green Rovers and I love my job,” he said.

“I’ve got the best chairman in the world and a job to do at Forest Green. I am very happy at the club.

“I’m Forest Green through and through. If ever my chairman wants me to leave then that’s a different matter but until such time I’m happy here.

“I’ve got a great group of lads here and we’re building something special.”

Hockaday, 55, represented Swindon more than 300 times over the course of a long and distinguished career in Wiltshire, during which he won promotion with the Robins from the old Division Four in 1985/86 and Division Three the following year.

His stock is understandably high after guiding Rovers to fourth in the Blue Square Premier table, just five points behind leaders Wrexham.

Although Hockaday’s odds have drifted slightly, with Paul Buckle emerging as the hot favourite after resigning manager of Conference rivals Luton Town on Tuesday, he is still as short as 5/1 to become the next Swindon manager with Bet Victor. Di Canio’s former assistant Fabrizio Piccareta was in charge for the 3-1 win over Tranmere that lifted Swindon to the top of League One on Tuesday night, but has since left the club.