Reports had suggested problems existed with management and certain players.
San Francisco 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh has insisted that he is happy at the franchise amid speculation to the contrary and that he just wants to “coach the team” as on-going off the field distractions continue.
In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Harbaugh relayed what he had already said to owner Jed York, and moved to dismiss rumours that are circulating about his future.
In three seasons as coach of the Niners, Harbaugh has gone 36-11 and has led them to the NFC Championship Game each year along with a Super Bowl appearance.
However, despite that impressive track record, there have been several reports since the end of last season that he has issues with the management and playing staff, with the Cleveland Browns reportedly making an offer for his services.
“I don’t want any more power. I want to coach the team. And I’ve never told anybody else otherwise,” he said, as reported by ESPN.
“I see all these reports about how I want to be the highest-paid coach in football,” he added.
“They presume I covet some kind of extension. I have never said to anybody that I want to be the highest-paid coach in football. I have never said that to anybody — my wife, my brother, my dad. I make plenty of money.”
At the centre of the drama it is understood that the 49ers coach has a rocky relationship with general manager Trente Baalke, but Harbaugh insisted that he has great respect for him and the job that he is doing, and would not want the structure to change at all.
Harbaugh went on to insist that he intends on seeing out his contract which runs through the 2015 season, and claimed that there was “zero opportunity or chance” of him wanting to leave despite the Browns attempting to trade for him this off-season in a deal that was rejected by San Francisco.
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