Thomas Tuchel has said it's "dangerous" to be linked with a move to Real Madrid after reports emerged that the Borussia Dortmund boss was being monitored by the La Liga giants.
Tuchel, 43, took charge of Dortmund in the summer of 2015 following the departure of Jurgen Klopp, leading the club to runners-up in both the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal.
"It's dangerous when you are flattered as a coach," Tuchel told reporters when asked about the Real Madrid links. "It's dangerous to get involved in those rumours, and pride yourself with it. It distracts from the essential things, and that's working with the team."
This season, Dortmund have made a strong start to their first season back in the Champions League, winning two of their three games and drawing the other against Real Madrid. They currently sit in sixth in the league, six points behind leaders Bayern Munich.
Tuchel will get the chance to manage at the Bernabeu on Dec. 7 when he takes Dortmund to Spain in the final round of games in the Champions League group stage.
Tuchel is under contract at Dortmund for another two years, and the club are reportedly ready to offer him an extension to his deal.
Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke insisted the club would block any Real Madrid approach for their coach.
"Thomas is under contract here, and we can surely say no should Real want him," he said. "It's not like with a player who will be 28 or 29 one day and you block a great chance. Thomas is still young -- he could still coach Real in 20 years."