ASA HARTFORD has ruled himself out of taking over from Alan Ball on a permanent basis. The former Scottish international will, however, be in charge for the first time when Manchester City play Charlton in a crucial Division One clash tonight.
But Hartford insists he has no desire to take on the role full time and said: "I certainly haven't applied. I'm happy working for the club in the capacity that I've been in as assistant manager and I would like to remain in that capacity if and when a new guy comes in."
And the former City midfielder's name was put forward as a possible successor when the media began drawing up a list of candidates.
City chairman Francis Lee was giving nothing away to journalists seeking news of the latest developments.
Lee is understood to have dismissed reports that he has approached former City boss Howard Kendall, now at Sheffield United, and Charlton's Alan Curbishley after ex Arsenal manager George Graham turned down the role.
Lee has already stated publicly: "We will decide who we think is the best candidate from the applications we get in and take it from there."
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