Manchester City boss Mark Hughes insists he has been given assurances by his chairman that he will be in charge next season.

Al Mubarak held talks with Hughes the night before City's Premier League 2-1 defeat to Tottenham, with Robbie Keane grabbing a late winner at White Hart Lane.

"I talked at length with him last night," Hughes said. "The situation is as it always has been - we're very clear with where we want to go with the club and what direction we are taking on and off the field.

"We are in tune with that we want to do but we are totally frustrated and bemused by the speculation. It's come to a point where everyone has to understand that Mark Hughes will be the manager here next year. That has been made very clear to me."

Hughes' men were in the hunt for a European place until their defeat at Spurs, and the City boss feels speculation about his future has not helped this season.

"There has been too much speculation about players and my future," he said.

"It has made my job more difficult than it already is. I would like to think speculation about my future will be at a lesser level because it has been unhelpful."

City had fought back from falling a goal down to Jermain Defoe's back-heel, with Valeri Bojinov coming off the bench to level, only for Keane to strike late on.

Hughes felt the penalty was harsh on Micah Richards, who was judged to have held Fraizer Campbell.

"We're disappointed with the decision, it's a poor decision and one that hurt us," Hughes said.

"It was a speculative ball that has gone comfortably to Shay Given and the lad was never closer than 15 yards away from it.

"With five minutes to go we had a real chance to get the winner. We could have been in the mix for Europe."

Referee Mark Halsey was not the only official in the limelight, as Defoe appeared to take out assistant Trevor Massey in a clash just before the break.

After the interval, Spurs boss Harry Redknapp did not appear happy with Roman Pavlyuchenko storming down the tunnel after being substituted.

"He's always like that," Redknapp said.

"He moved well when he went down that tunnel. It was good to see. He thought he was playing well and didn't think he should be taken off."

Fulham are in the box seat for a European place and Redknapp added: "Fulham look nailed on. But it is possible."