Gelsenkirchen, Germany  - Former Schalke 04 coach Huub Stevens Wednesday ruled himself out as a candidate for the post of general manager at the troubled Bundesliga club.

Stevens had been mentioned in media reports as a possible candidate but told German Press Agency dpa he had neither been contacted or expected to be contacted by the club.

"I have other offers which I am considering," said the Dutch coach who was in charge of the team between 1996 and 2002, winning the UEFA Cup and the German Cup twice.

"At Schalke there is always too much unrest from the top, and I want to work in peace," he said.

Schalke president Josef Schnusenberg has meanwhile promised radical financial and playing changes at the club.

Speaking at a forum in Gelsenkirchen late Tuesday he said the club would be seeking to build a new team of "young and hungry players" built around one or two experienced professionals.

The club is looking for a replacement for general manager Andreas Mueller, who was dismissed two weeks, with former Bayern Munich goalkeeper Oliver Kahn seen as a leading candidate for the job.

With Schalke lying a disappointing eighth in the table with hopes of European football next season fading, the position of Dutch coach Fred Rutten remains a subject for speculation.

Germany's mass circulation Bild newspaper reported Tuesday that Rutten, 42, would be dismissed this week, but Schalke officials have said they would be making no comment on the issue. (dpa)