Saint-Etienne has slammed reports of coach Christophe Galtier quitting for Newcastle United.

The Mirror says Galtier has been linked with the vacancy at the Magpies after winning the League Cup in 2013 and leading Les Verts up to fourth place in Ligue 1 this season.

Galtier, 48, worked briefly in the Premier League as Alain Perrin's assistant at Portsmouth in 2005.

"You really think that Galtier, right that in the middle of the season where we are at the top of the league, would leave, like a thief, to go to a club like Newcastle?" he said.

"It would be insulting for Christophe that anyone would give any credence to such a rumour.

"Christophe is not a man of money. He has been here for years and he is fully involved in a project."