England Under-21 boss Stuart Pearce has become the latest name to rule himself out of the running for the vacant manager's job at West Ham after Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp insisted he would not leave his current position.

Alan Curbishley yesterday became the first managerial casualty of the Premier League season, resigning his post in a row over control of the club's transfer policy.

Former England defender Pearce spent two seasons with the Hammers and was among the early favourites to succeed Curbishley.

But ahead of his team's European Championship qualifier at Wembley tomorrow night against Portugal the ex-Manchester City manager maintained he will honour his contract.

"I manage this team. I am very proud to do so and will not be stepping down from this job, because I love the job I do," he said.

Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is the bookies' favourite, particularly after Redknapp ruled out himself out of the running, but the 46-year-old former England captain said there was no need for the Hammers to appoint, for the first time, an overseas coach.

"There are a lot fantastic English managers about," he said.

Earlier, Redknapp praised Alan Curbishley for "sticking to his principles" by resigning over the club's sale of players without his consent - and insisted there is "no way" he would return to the West Ham hotseat.

Redknapp had long spells as a player and manager at Upton Park but values the freedom he enjoys at Fratton Park.

He told The Sun: "Alan Curbishley may have gone as West Ham boss - but there's no way I'll replace him.

"Curbs quit because he feels he has been undermined and shown a lack of trust by the owner. I take my hat off to him for sticking to his principles.

"Don't get me wrong, West Ham is a fantastic club, with fantastic fans.

"But I love it at Portsmouth and I have one big advantage over a lot of Premier League bosses these days: I've got an owner who lets the manager manage."

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is also in the running to succeed Curbishley but with West Ham's director of football Gianluca Nani's knowledge of the Italian game, several Serie A names have surfaced, including Roberto Mancini who was succeeded as Inter Milan coach by Jose Mourinho. Former West Ham legend Paolo Di Canio has also declared an interest.