OAKLAND, Calif. -- Art Howe will return to manage the Oakland Athletics next season.

A's spokesman Jim Young said Saturday night that Howe, who spoke with the New York Mets about their job earlier in the week, is no longer a candidate.

"He looks forward to managing the A's in 2003,'' Young said.

Last April, Oakland exercised its option on Howe for the upcoming season. Since becoming the A's manager for the 1996 season, Howe has never had more than one year of job security, even though he's the third-winningest manager in franchise history.

The A's have made three straight playoff appearances, losing in the division series each time. Oakland won the AL West with 103 victories this year, but lost a five-game series to Minnesota.

Oakland general manager Billy Beane withdrew permission for the Mets to speak with Howe about their vacancy Thursday. New York is still interested in Seattle's Lou Piniella.