STUART PEARCE has ruled himself out of the vacant manager’s job at West Ham following Alan Curbishley’s resignation on Wednesday.
The England Under-21 boss, whose young lions take on Portugal tonight at Wembley in their final qualifying game for next summer’s European Championships, spent two seasons at the Hammers as a player and was among the early favourites for the post.
But Pearce insists that he is committed to his contract from the FA and will not be leaving the national team set-up anytime soon.
“You can bet with me, “he said. “I manage this team and I am very proud to do so and I will not be stepping down from this job, because I love the job I do.
“I said to the England bosses when I took this job that I will honour my contract. I have said many times before in the past, and that applies today. “
The 46 year-old, who previously occupied his role as England Under-21 boss on a part time basis while managing Manchester City, has also rejected taking up the West Ham position under similar terms.
He said: “I don’t miss the buzz of a Saturday. My job is this at the moment. Sometimes I go into Premiership clubs and look at the writing all over a Premiership manager’s face and think, “I’ve got it good.
“I go into clubs and watch them train, watch four or five games a week. It’s diverse. It would really water down what I do here. My commitment to the Under 21s is that Stuart Pearce is their manager come hell or high water.”
Ex-Hammers boss Curbishley walked out of the club following a turbulent tenure at Upton Park that lasted just 18 months and England Under-21 midfielder, Mark Noble, who played under Curbishley throughout his reign, was as surprised as anyone by the news.
“I didn’t have an inkling. We were just watching all this stuff about Kevin Keegan and that popped up!
“I was talking to Steven Taylor about what was going on at Newcastle, and then, suddenly West Ham’s popped up that we haven’t got a manager.
“As a player, I don’t know what was going on but that’s what’s happened, he’s resigned, that was his decision”
England currently top group three, ahead of tonight’s visitors by six points, and need only a draw to ensure a play-off place for the Championships, which begin in Sweden next May.
Nevertheless, Pearce isn’t allowing his side to relax just yet. “Our aim is winning the tournament and this is another step of that way,” he said. “If we can win the group and make sure Portugal do not qualify, then that will help us in the long run.”
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