Trio ruled out of running for City post
Wednesday, 16 May 2007 15:05Three candidates for the vacant manager's job at Manchester City appeared to be ruled out of the running today.
City are searching for a new boss after sacking Stuart Pearce on Monday and Gerard Houllier, the former Liverpool manager, had been linked with the post along with Dutch pair Louis van Gaal and Ronald Koeman.
However, Houllier's current club Lyon today issued an official statement announcing their manager will not be leaving for either City or Dynamo Kiev, with whom he was linked in the French media.
Houllier, who has won the French title with 'Les Gones' in his two seasons at the club, said: 'It is always flattering that a big club is interested in you.
'I am therefore flattered, but I can assure you I will not be at Kiev next season.'
A statement from the club added: 'Lyon are surprised at the publication of such claims and repeats that Gerard Houllier will next year be the coach of Lyon, with whom he is under contract until June 2008.'
PSV Eindhoven denied reports they have been approached by City regarding the availability of their coach Koeman.
The Eredivisie champions insist there has been no contact, with spokesman Pedro Salazar Hewitt saying: 'Everyone knows how this works at this time of the season.
'Coaches and players are linked everywhere but Ronald Koeman told the media about four days ago for the last time that he wants to see out his contract at PSV which expires a year from now.
'Koeman will be PSV coach for next season.
'And I can tell you that PSV have not heard anything from any club, including Manchester City.'
Van Gaal was also ruled out of the running today.
A spokesman for AZ Alkmaar, van Gaal's current club, said: 'Louis has just renewed his contract at AZ and he will not go to Manchester City.
'Perhaps in the future he might consider one of the UK's top-flight teams, but certainly not at the moment.'
