Newell commented:"Yes, I've had interviews - at Derby and Ipswich.
"Let's just say, if I wanted to be Derby manager I would have been Derby manager by now, but I wanted to stay at Luton."
This was denied by Derby Countys managing director Mike Horton who claims he was not offered the job.
It is not thought however that the Hatters manager has made it on to the shortlist constructed by Derek Bowden and David Sheepshanks.