BERLIN (AFP) -- Former Bayern Munich coach Felix Magath has turned down the chance of taking over from the sacked Thomas Doll at relegation-threatened SV Hamburg, the club said on Friday.

Hamburg have instead turned to Dutchman Huub Stevens as their new coach.

Magath revealed that he chose to reject the job because Hamburg had already come to an agreement with Stevens before interviewing the former Bayern Munich boss.

"Felix Magath told me in a telephone conversation that he is not available," said Hamburg sports director Dietmar Beiersdorfer. "We have come to an agreement. Huub Stevens has a contract until 2008."

Hamburg terminated Doll's contract on Thursday after the club slumped to the bottom of the Bundesliga after managing to win only one league match all season.

Despite leading Bayern to successive doubles, Magath was sacked on Wednesday after the reigning champions slipped to fourth in the table, eight points adrift of top two Werder Bremen and Schalke 04.

Stevens, who was in charge of Dutch team Roda JC Kerkrade, has extensive Bundesliga coaching experience with Hertha Berlin and Schalke.