Oakland, CA (My Sportsbook) - Manager Art Howe will remain in Oakland and finish the final year of his contract, the Athletics announced Friday. Howe was a candidate for the Mets' managerial opening until talks didn't work out.

According to Howe, he was flattered the Mets had interest in him but was looking forward to coming back to Oakland and winning a championship.

Billy Beane, the team's general manager, gave Howe the chance to interview with the Mets because of the "unique opportunity" it presented. However, Howe decided to remain in the bay area.

Prior to Oakland's 6-2 victory in the finale of a three-game series with the New York Yankees, the Athletics exercised their 2003 option on Howe.

Howe has managed the A's since 1996 and Oakland has made it to the postseason three straight seasons. However, the Athletics have failed to advance past the first round each time. They dropped the final two games of the best-of-five ALDS against Minnesota this season after losing to the Yankees in 2000 and 2001.

The 55-year-old Howe, who is the third-winningest manager in Athletics' history behind Connie Mack's 3,627 victories and Tony La Russa's 798, has a 600-533 record in Oakland.

Howe managed the Houston Astros from 1989-93.