Ronald Koeman, Louis van Gaal and Gérard Houllier were ruled out of the race to succeed Stuart Pearce as Manchester City manager yesterday as the changes continued to come thick and fast at the club before a possible £92 million takeover by Thaksin Shinawatra, the former Prime Minister of Thailand.

Steve Wigley, the assistant manager, and Ian Woan, the reserve-team coach, followed Pearce out, together with eight players whose contracts have not been renewed.

With Thaksin expected to make a formal offer for the club next week, a new manager could be installed days later, but Koeman, who wants to see out the remaining year of his contract at PSV Eindhoven, and Van Gaal, who recently signed a new deal with AZ Alkmaar, have distanced themselves from the job.

“Ronald told me that even if he could earn ten times more than at PSV he will not leave the club,” Ger Lagendijk, the coach’s agent, said. “He will not be at Manchester City next season. Ronald is not at all interested, but I will not rule him out coaching in England at some point.”

A spokesman for Alkmaar said: “Louis has just renewed his contract at AZ and he will not go to Manchester City. Perhaps in the future he might consider one of the UK’s top-flight teams, but certainly not at the moment.”

Lyons insisted that Houllier would not be leaving the French champions, where he is contracted until next summer, but while the former Liverpool manager is thought to be keen, sources at City have indicated that he is not in the frame.

Djibril Cissé’s agent has revealed that City have been in contact with the Liverpool striker about a possible move to the club, although the Frenchman is believed to favour a move to Newcastle United. Cissé, who is on loan at Marseilles until the end of the season, has been told that he has no future at Anfield. “Newcastle would be perfect for him,” Ranko Stojic, Cissé’s agent, said.

Joey Barton has been arrested and bailed until July 11 in connection with an alleged training ground altercation with Ousmane Dabo, a teammate, this month.