London England were no nearer to finding a new manager late Saturday after Newcastle United rejected an approach from the Football Association for their Coach Bobby Robson to take charge for seven games.
Robson went straight into a meeting with Chairman Freddy Shepherd after Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Everton.
Around 90 minutes later, Newcastle released a statement confirming that there had been contact with the FA but that it had been firmly rebuffed, AFP reported.
"The board of Newcastle United football club have been approached by the Football Association for the services of Bobby Robson on a part time basis for a total of seven games," the statement read.
"The board have unanimously rejected the Football Association's request for the release of MR Robson.
"He has been informed and has accepted the board's decision." Robson, 67, writing in the program notes for the Everton match, had already ruled himself out of the job.
"This time, the FA, if they pick the right guy, want somebody to try to get them into the World Cup.
"And I'm not the long-term view of an England manager, am I? I'm 67 years of age and I need to find, somewhere in my life, a bit of time for myself." Meanwhile Leicester Manager Peter Taylor, who has been linked with a temporary position as right-hand man to the next England coach, reiterated: "I have already said that I would be happy to help on a part-time basis." Taylor has given the FA the green light to approach him. After his side had lost 1-0 at Liverpool, the Leicester boss said that he would be prepared to join the England coaching setup on a part-time basis.
"I have discussed the situation with my chairman, and he was aware of what I had said on the subject previously," said the former England under-21 coach.
"Although he hasn't given me a view on the subject because nobody has been approached, as long as the job didn't interfere with my work at Leicester, it should be OK.
"If he is happy and the club are happy, and the job doesn't interfere with my work at Leicester, I would do it. But only if he was happy.
"I'm sure he would see it as a good thing for me and a good thing for Leicester city. If it did interfere, then it wouldn't be on." Taylor added: "I must admit I was shocked to see in the papers today that something might be about to happen. So far nobody has been approached, there's not even been a nod and a wink from the FA." Leaders Manchester United, meanwhile, held on to top spot in the premiership after comfortably beating rivals Leeds 3-0 at Old Trafford.
United have 21 points after 10 games and lead Arsenal who won 2-1 at West Ham on goal difference.
Liverpool move up to third, three points behind the top two, after a narrow 1-0 win at home to Leicester.
England international Emile Heskey continued his run of good form by scoring the only goal after 69 minutes.
Tottenham beat strugglers Derby 3-1 at White Hart Lane with Norwegian Oyvind Leonhardsen scoring twice.
Swede Mathias Svensson came off the substitutes bench to score in Charlton's 1-0 win at home to Middlesbrough.
Chelsea went goal crazy at Stamford Bridge by thumping Coventry 6-1 with Dutch striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink scoring four times.
Elsewhere premiership newcomers Ipswich won 2-0 at Bradford.
On Sunday Aston Villa entertain Sunderland and Manchester City travel to Southampton on Monday.