BOSTON -- General manager Dan Duquette and the Red Sox agreed Friday to a two-year contract extension, one that will keep Duquette in Boston through the planned sale of the team.

Duquette would not discuss the terms of the contract, or if there were provisions that would release him from the deal if he didn't see eye to eye with the new ownership. He also alluded to expanding his role over the next few seasons, though he wouldn't specify how that might happen.

"I'd just want people to know I'd like to stay in Boston for a long period of time," Duquette said, adding that he could "contribute to the ballclub."

Duquette has built the Red Sox into a perennial contender. Along the way he's feuded with stars such Mo Vaughn and Roger Clemens, and, more recently, manager Jimy Williams.

Red Sox chief executive officer John Harrington put the team on the block in October, and said he hopes to have new ownership in place by the start of next season.

Duquette's deal leaves the Red Sox with only Williams' contract situation unresolved. Duquette said Friday he wouldn't address Williams' contract until the end of the year, when the manager's deal expires.

Williams didn't receive an extension in spring training, as he had in the past, leading to speculation that this year would be his last.

Duquette and Williams clashed last year when Williams disciplined outfielder Carl Everett for being late for a game, and Duquette sided with Everett. Williams suggested Duquette fire him if he wasn't going to back him.

Last week on his pregame radio show, Duquette questioned Williams' decision to remove ace Pedro Martinez from a June 5 game against the New York Yankees that Boston eventually lost.

Duquette said Friday that "by and large" he thought Williams had done a good job this season.

"I believe that Jimy Williams and I have a productive relationship and we've been able to assemble and implement a winning team in Boston," he said.

Duquette has been in charge of the team's baseball operations since 1994 when he signed a five-year deal. In 1998 the club granted him a three-year extension through 2001. The new deal keeps him in Boston through 2003.

Under Duquette, the Red Sox have played three times in the postseason, but they haven't reached the World Series, and are still seeking their first championship since 1918.

Harrington praised Duquette for building a deep team that's reached first place in the AL East this year, despite injuries to key players such as shortstop Nomar Garciaparra and catcher Jason Varitek.

"I think it's fair to say that fan enthusiasm is the highest anyone can remember over the past several decades," Harrington said. "This is a good day."

Duquette, who signed free agent outfielder Manny Ramirez this offseason, said Boston is in position to win a World Series this year once Garciaparra returns.

"I would say it's been a productive and memorable time," he said. "But we have more work to do."