Martin O'Neill's decision to remain at Leicester City was always likely, such is his fondness for preaching moral standards, but the decision clearly rankles with the 46-year-old Irishman.

In announcing that he intended to honour his current contract, following Leicester's staunch refusal to let him speak with Leeds over the vacancy left by George Graham, O'Neill placed loyalty above personal ambition. But, while Leicester were happy to announce that they had offered him an improved deal, which runs until 2002, he has yet to sign.

"There are a number of reasons why I'm staying," he said yesterday. "The prospect of walking out on the club was not palatable and Monday night's reaction of the crowd during the game against Tottenham was very influential. "But I have been denied the opportunity to speak to a club. Foolish me, who once studied law. I should have realised an unwritten agreement is precisely that. The phrase `a gentlemen's agreement' will disappear from my vocabulary."

Asked about the new contract offer, O'Neill replied: "I'm going to insert about 194 clauses and get them written down."

O'Neill, whose relationship with the Leicester chairman John Elsom has been strained, added: "If you ask if I would go out for dinner with him, as I did a few times, then the answer is no."