Former England defender Pearce spent two seasons with the Hammers from 1999 and is among the early favourites to succeed Curbishley.

However, the 46-year-old ex-Manchester City manager maintains his current focus is on duties with the England Under-21s, saying: "I manage this team. I am very proud to do so and will not be stepping down from this job, because I love the job I do."

He added: "I said to the FA bosses when I took this job that I will honour my contract. I have said that many times before in the past and that applies today.

"[West Ham and England Under-21 midfielder] Mark Noble has to know that I will be his manager next summer when we go to the tournament."

Pearce rejected the notion that, for the first time, an overseas coach was more likely to be appointed at Upton Park.

He said: "There are a lot of fantastic English managers about. What happens nowadays is we knock what we have got under our own noses and that can be absolutely fatal."

Pearce is the second leading candidate to rule himself out the job at Upton Park following Portsmouth boss Harry Redknapp, who has declared he will stay on the south coast.