Leyton Orient boss Russell Slade admits he does not know if he will still be at the club for this weekend’s home game with Rochdale as he continues to push for a move to Cardiff City.

The O’s manager has been approached by Cardiff and also asked to talk to the Championship club about their vacant position. It was rejected by Orient but he remains the odds-on favourite for the post.

Slade, who had the opportunity to clarify his future after their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United on Tuesday in the third round of the Capital One Cup, said: “I don’t know [if I’ll be in charge on Saturday]. Obviously whether Cardiff come back again I’m not sure. Maybe they’ll move on, I’m not sure.”

Slade, who refused to answer questions which were not from the BBC or Sky interviewers, added: “Everyone wants to better themselves and you’ve been in League 1 for a few years and came so close in May to getting ourselves in the Championship. We were a penalty kick away. It’s frustrating. It’s a big club [Cardiff] and it will be a big job for somebody that eventually ends up with it.”

The Bluebirds have set their sights on bringing Slade to Wales and if the club come back in with another approach a compensation package will probably have to be agreed with Orient.

It has been reported former Newcastle United boss Glenn Roeder recommended Slade to Cardiff owner Vincent Tan and he remains their first choice target.

But the O’s manager insists he would not be disappointed if he remains in charge of the club this Saturday.

He said: “I love this football club. As it stands I’ve had four-and-a-half years and 230 odd games. I’ve got the best win ratio that any manager of Orient has ever had.

“Even though we were defeated tonight the fans were magnificent and fully behind me. There was a mutual respect and we’ve done a lot of really good things at the football club. We just need to make that next move and push on again.”

Slade faced an ultimatum last week but held onto his job and Orient have now decided they want to keep hold of their manager.

The O’s boss said: “It’s a funny old game, isn’t it? Listen the game can change and it’s all about results at the end of the day. From time to time there will be pressure and I don’t think anybody’s safe. If you’re losing two or three games on the bounce then most managers have got a problem.”

When asked if Slade’s decision to publicise the ultimatum following the recent defeat to Colchester United was a coincidence in relation to the approach from Cardiff, he replied: “Totally but these things happen like that. It’s like when you wait for a bus and all of a sudden three come along at once.”

Slade added: “All three have been turned down. That’s all I can say. I’ve got no further comment to make.”

Tuesday’s defeat left Orient still winless at home this season after three defeats and a draw. A second-minute header from Michael Higdon was enough to fire the Blades into the next round. The O’s had plenty of possession but struggled to break down United and Elliot Omozusi’s deflected shot onto the post was the closest they came.

When asked what his side needed to do to get off the mark at home, Slade replied: “I don’t know the answer but maybe we need to spread something on the pitch or in the changing rooms. We’ve got to do something or change something to get us off to a win and get the monkey off our back so hopefully that will be on Saturday.”