Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill today ruled himself out of the running to become the new England manager.

The former Celtic boss was the bookmakers' favourite to take the post after Steve McClaren was sacked yesterday in the wake of Wednesday's Wembley defeat by Croatia, which meant England failed to qualify for Euro 2008.

However, O'Neill — who was also in the running when McClaren got the job after the 2006 World Cup — has decided he will not throw his hat into the ring.