LOS ANGELES (AP) - The Los Angeles Dodgers received permission to interview former Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers general manager John Hart for their vacant GM job, and also plan to discuss the position with current club executive Kim Ng.

Hart resigned as general manager of the Rangers on Oct. 4 and was succeeded by assistant GM Jon Daniels. Hart remains under contract with Texas as a consultant.

Dodgers spokeswoman Camille Johnston on Thursday confirmed a report in The Dallas Morning News that the team had asked for and received permission to speak with Hart. She didn't say when an interview would take place.

A telephone message left for Hart wasn't immediately returned.

Ng, vice president and assistant general manager for the Dodgers the past four years, would become major league baseball's first female GM if she's hired to succeed Paul DePodesta.

Before joining the Dodgers, the 36-year-old Ng served as vice president and assistant general manager for the New York Yankees from 1998-2001.

There was no announcement on when Ng will be interviewed.

Rangers owner Tom Hicks told the Morning News that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt called him Wednesday and asked for permission to speak to Hart.

``I told John if he wanted to go back into baseball that I wouldn't stand in his way, but that he has an important role with us,'' Hicks was quoted as saying. ``I told Frank he was welcome to talk to John to see if he has any interest. He said he would call him and see.''

Hart told the Morning News earlier Wednesday he hadn't been formally contacted by the Dodgers.

``If the right situation came up at the right time, I'd consider it,'' Hart said. ``But I'm focused on my job here with the Rangers. I have a great relationship with our owner and am excited about helping the organization.''

With Hart as their GM, the Indians reached the World Series in 1995 and 1997.

Among other possible candidates are former Boston Red Sox GM Theo Epstein, Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden and Chicago White Sox special assistant Dennis Gilbert.

Los Angeles asked for permission to interview Padres general manager Kevin Towers, but he declined.

The Dodgers' GM job became vacant Saturday when DePodesta was fired after less than two years on the job. DePodesta signed a five-year contract in February 2004, shortly after McCourt purchased the team from News Corp.

Los Angeles also is without a manager. McCourt said at the time of DePodesta's firing that the search to replace Jim Tracy would be on hold until a GM is in place.

The Dodgers' 71-91 record this year was their worst since 1992 and second-poorest since the franchise moved from Brooklyn to Los Angeles in 1958.Copyright © 2005 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.