Strachan scotches Leeds speculation

Gordon Strachan yesterday ruled out taking the manager's job at Leeds United by saying he was "very happy" at Southampton and would not quit the club.

Leeds had hoped to lure Strachan to Elland Road as the permanent successor to Peter Reid but their parlous financial state means they cannot afford to pay Southampton compensation or put together a package that might tempt the Scot.

Strachan had refused to discuss his future until yesterday, when he told the Southampton club website he intended to stay at St Mary's and dismissed suggestions he had fallen out with chairman Rupert Lowe.

"I am a very happy man here," he said. "I am happy in the job and I will not walk out on this club to join anyone else. There is not a problem with money or transfer funds or the relationship with the chairman, which is as good as any in the league. I am very happy with the way the club is run."

Southampton will now try to persuade Strachan to extend his contract beyond the end of the season. The former Manchester United midfielder has not signed the new 12-month rolling contract he has been offered, though he has told Lowe he is not unhappy with the money or the length of the deal.

Lowe said: "Gordon is doing a great job, he has a great squad and a great spirit in the camp. It is important everyone understands there is no issue with our relationship or contracts or transfer funds. Both of us are comfortable with where we are. The club is in great shape."

Everton, meanwhile, are becoming increasingly concerned at Wayne Rooney's extracurricular activities and are worried commercial commitments off the pitch could detract from his form on it.

The 18-year-old endorses six brands - Mastercard, EA Games, Pringles, Ford, Nike and Coca-Cola - through lucrative deals struck by Proactive Sports Management. Yet Everton's reservations were exacerbated after he spent his day off from training this week filming a television ad for Coca-Cola in Madrid.

While David Moyes sanctioned that trip to the Spanish capital, he is anxious to limit such jaunts.

"I would say your day off is for resting," said the Scot, who has attempted to shield Rooney from celebrity since England's youngest ever goalscorer burst on to the scene last season. "He had my permission to go but he won't be doing too many of them. It'll be interesting to see how he reacts this weekend [against Bolton] having done it."

Rooney has netted only one Premiership goal all season, even if his form has picked up in recent weeks. Everton are embroiled in a relegation struggle and Moyes will omit Duncan Ferguson from his squad for the Reebok on grounds of fitness. He will start with Tomasz Radzinski and Rooney up front.