Ferguson is irreplacable says O'Neill

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LONDON, Feb 28, 2010 (AFP) - Aston Villa boss Martin O'Neill has said that he cannot envisage the day when he would take over from Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United.

The Ulsterman has been touted as a possible successor to the Old Trafford legend since his successful tenure at Celtic and, although the current favourite for the job is Jose Mourinho, many believe O'Neill would still be a good choice.

However, speaking ahead of Sunday's League Cup final between the two sides at Wembley, O'Neill said the idea of taking over from the 68-year-old Ferguson had never been on his mind.

"I've never thought about that at all, not for one second, not even way back when I was at Celtic." he said.

"I think Sir Alex will decide, and I would think in about the year 2033 when he thinks to himself, 'yeah, I think that Champions League has gone past me for the final time', then I will have departed this earth long before him - because I've got a lot more worries.

"It's never really bothered me. And of course there's always somebody coming up, somebody whose name is relevant at the time."

O'Neill, 10 years younger than the Scot, believes whoever replaces Ferguson faces a tough job.

He added: "For anybody it would be absolutely an impossible job to succeed him. What can you do? Win the Premier League 10 times? You'd still be just starting out against him.

"I know Brian Clough went to Leeds and said he could win it better but he only lasted 44 days and to be honest it wasn't his most inspiring moment."