LONDON (AFP) - Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has ruled himself out of the running for the vacant England manager's position, according to reports Friday.

The 55-year-old Northern Irishman was among a handful of contenders to take over from Steve McClaren, who was sacked a day after England's 3-2 Wembley defeat to Croatia ended their bid to qualify for Euro 2008.

O'Neill was interviewed but rejected for the job by England's FA last year and according to the BBC Friday he has confirmed he does not want the job.

The England Football Association's search for a home-grown replacement for McClaren now appears to be getting trickier.

Newcastle boss Sam Allardyce and West Ham's Alan Curbishley have ruled themselves out, while former Wales manager Mark Hughes has signed a new contract with Blackburn.

Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp has not ruled himself out but is believed to not be a priority for the FA.

Of the foreign managers reportedly in the frame, only former Real Madrid coach Fabio Capello has openly said he is interested.

His fellow Italian Marcello Lippi has distanced himself from the role while former frontrunner Jose Mourinho, the former Chelsea boss, appears to be more interested in a role at a top European club.