Soccer: Hitzfeld won't take United job

Bayern Munich manager Ottmar Hitzfeld has ruled himself out as a possible replacement for Alex Ferguson when he quits Manchester United in a year.

United had reportedly placed Hitzfeld top of their wanted list and the German supremo said he was honoured by those rumours.

However, he said he will honour his contract with Bayern, which doesn't expire until 2005. "I have never broken a contract in my career," Hitzfeld said.

The German manager's announcement follows Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's decision to also turn down the Old Trafford job.

Wenger's contract was due to expire next June, when Ferguson is due to retire, but he recently signed a two-year extension, keeping him at Highbury until 2004.

If both Hitzfeld and Wenger remain true to their word, United appear to be left with just three outstanding candidates for the managerial post.

They are Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, Leeds manager David O'Leary and Roma's Fabio Capello.