Caretaker West Ham boss Trevor Brooking says he is not comfortable with taking on the full-time role of West Ham manager following the dismissal of Glenn Roeder.
Brooking has taken charge for the Bradford and Ipswich games until a permanent replacement can be found.
The Hammers have not made a good start to life in Division One following relegation, and were beaten 1-0 at Rotherham on Saturday.
"It's a difficult situation but I'm not comfortable in the role of stepping into Glenn's shoes," Brooking told www.whufc.com.
Brooking, who took over from Roeder for the final three games of last season after the manager collapsed with a brain tumour, added: "This is a totally different situation from the end of last season.
"I'm not looking at that, and it's just a case of getting on and doing the job in the next two weeks, and trying to get a couple of results until we find a successor.
"We have to try and give the club a bit of breathing space to make the appointment, and I will keep my head down and let events take their course - last season was a different kettle of fish completely," he said.
"It's a difficult job which has its problems - and whoever takes over will have to be strong to get a grip on the different personalities the club has."
Paying tribute to Roeder, Brooking said: "It is difficult. You couldn't get a more genuine, decent and committed person than Glenn and I can understand the upset he and his family must be feeling.