Joe Kinnear's Decision: Joe Kinnear has turned down the opportunity to manage Sheffield Wednesday.

Kinnear had been stalling on Wednesday's offer since holding talks with the club last week, and this had prompted Wednesday chairman Howard Culley to set Kinnear a "short deadline" for a decision, because the club had other candidates to consider.

Kinnear's agent Jonathan Barnett last night confirmed that the former Wimbledon manager had decided not to succeed Danny Wilson.

Kinnear is understood to have been concerned about Sheffield Wednesday's finances in the wake of their relegation to Division One.

"The personal terms were fine but there were certain things he would need that weren't in place," added Barnett.

"He would only take the job if he thought he could get them back into the Premiership and he felt he couldn't do that with the predicament Sheffield Wednesday find themselves in," Barnett said.

United Goalkeeper: Fabien Barthez breezed into Old Trafford yesterday and insisted he has what it takes to step into the shoes of Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel.

The 28-year-old French international, who has signed a six-year deal reputed to be worth £45,000 per week, said: "Peter Schmeichel was a great, great goalkeeper and he played here for a very long time. I need to be strong but I don't find it daunting.

"I have played in a World Cup final and Champions League final before and nothing troubles me.

"Everybody knows Manchester United are the big club, the big team, and are very impressive."

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson spoke glowingly of his latest acquisition, saying: "I'm delighted that Fabien has joined us for, apart from his obvious goalkeeping skills, he has the personality to play on the biggest stage."

Premiership TV Deal: Discussions on a second stage of the £1 billion Premier League television rights bid are to take place within the next two weeks.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore and his team of advisers having been working through the all the bids received before last month's deadline - which have been split into different categories for the first time.

Jewel in the crown is undoubtedly the rights to the 66 live games - an increase of six on the present contract which current holders BSkyB are desperate to retain.

Rupert Murdoch's satellite giants are believed to be facing stiff competition from cable company NTL, although a final decision is not expected until July.

The fragmentation of the television contracts, which include pay-per-view, Saturday and Sunday night highlights programmes and internet rights, is expected to provide the Premier League with riches never previously seen in British soccer.

Martin O'Neill's Decision: Martin O'Neill's future was still hanging in the balance today as a veil of silence descended over Leicester and Celtic.

Leicester's manager is debating whether to leave Filbert Street for Parkhead but both clubs were refusing to comment this afternoon on O'Neill's plans.

He is understood to have met Leicester chairman John Elsom and other club officials yesterday to tell them of his decision to become Celtic's new manager.

It is believed he was then persuaded to sleep on it one more night. Elsom is anxious for O'Neill to remain at Leicester where he has secured a top-10 place in the Premiership for the last four years.

But the lure of managing Celtic could prove too strong for 48-year-old O'Neill.

If O'Neill does go he is likely to want to bring in his own staff, possibly including Leicester coaching colleagues John Robertson and Steve Walford.