Reports say the two final candidates asked to lead South Korea’s national soccer team have both turned down the offer.

The BBC posted an article on its website saying both Mick McCarthy, who is the manager of Wolverhampton Wanderers, and former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier, have ruled out the vacant position.

The article said that Houllier had told the BBC he was not interested in the post. It also reported that McCarthy had said he was flattered to receive the offer, but that he is planning to stay with the Wolves, as he is very committed to his job there.

If the reports prove true, the Korea Football Association (KFA) will have to seek other candidates for the post, which was to be decided upon Saturday. The KFA has been searching for a new coach since July, when Pim Verbeek stepped down after leading the national team to third place in the 2007 AFC Asia Cup.