Reyes denies he wants home

English FA Premiership: Arsenal forward Jose Antonio Reyes has distanced himself from reports that claimed he wants a move back to Spain.

The 22-year-old Spanish international was reported as saying he had not settled in England and was hoping to join Real Madrid.

But Reyes told Arsenal's website yesterday: "I don't know where these words have come from but what I would like to say is that I am very happy at Arsenal. I am excited about the new stadium and helping Arsenal challenge for honours."

Reyes had been quoted as saying: "I have always said I want a return to Spain. I have not adapted to life in England. If Real Madrid want me that is marvellous. It would be an honour to play for them. Let's see what happens.

"I have nothing against Arsenal, completely the opposite. It is a great club and they have helped me so much. The fans have given me so much support since I joined. But they know that I have not got used to the language or the weather."

It is not the first time that Reyes, a £10.5 million signing from Sevilla in January 2004, has been linked with a move to his homeland with Real.

Reyes admitted he wanted to join Real at the start of 2005, when he fell victim to a radio hoax. He told a Spanish radio presenter - who Reyes thought was Real's sporting director Emilio Butragueno - that he was keen on a move to the Bernabeu.

But the Spain international then signed a six-year contract at Arsenal in July 2005.

Meanwhile, Steve McClaren will not be formally anointed as the new England manager until tomorrow, but his embryonic regime has already suffered a serious setback. A phone call from Alan Shearer yesterday informed McClaren that the former Newcastle United and England centre-forward would not, after all, be taking up his invitation to become a member of his coaching staff.

While this blow was softened when friends of Terry Venables let slip that the one-time England coach was poised to be named as McClaren's assistant, it is understood Shearer's rebuff was much more about the remuneration offered by the Football Association than the offer itself.

"It's nothing to do with Alan not wanting to work with Steve or to do the job but about the terms," explained a source last night.This was denied by both the FA and Shearer, who cited his existing punditry obligations to the BBC as the prime motivator, but others indicated that while McClaren had won a lengthy battle to persuade the FA to re-engage Venables, football's ruling body was not prepared to countenance hiring Shearer on a similarly lucrative contract.

"Alan had given his word to the BBC that he would be working for them next season, and particularly at England games," explained Adrian Bevington, the FA's director of communications. "Alan is the type of man who keeps his word."

Even so, Shearer - who McClaren had planned to use as a conduit between England's players and management - took time to make his mind up about whether to opt for dug-out or studio, and the source suggested the money on offer from an FA keen to cut back expenditure influenced his decision.

Shearer demurred. "I was flattered when Steve telephoned me just before the World Cup and explained the role he visualised for me working alongside himself and Terry Venables," he explained. "I talked to him upon my return from Germany and was impressed with his plan and his vision for the future. However, I had already told the BBC that I would be extending my contract with them and did not want to go back on my word. I'm sure Steve will do a great job for England. His choice of Terry as a number two is a clever appointment and I'm sure they'll prove an excellent management team."

Shearer is relishing an extended break from football ahead of scheduled marketing trips to southeast Asia on behalf of his former club, BBC punditry dates and coaching courses.

Indeed he left the door ajar to the possibility of future involvement with McClaren's England and was at pains to stress the amicable nature of his relationship with the former Middlesbrough manager. "I also want to spend some time away from the pressures of football," Shearer explained. "I'm currently on my longest ever family holiday and enjoying every minute of it. I spoke to Steve at length today and explained my situation and said if I could ever assist in any way he only had to ask. We agreed to meet up for a game of golf when I get back."

McClaren proved sympathetic. He said: "I would have loved to have had Alan on board but as you would expect from him he has chosen to honour a contract to which he had verbally committed."