Boston Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein has refused to accept a three-year extension just before his existing contract expired on Monday, contrary to earlier reports that had him agreeing to the deal. Epstein, the architect of the Red Sox' memorable world championship run of 2004, rejected the team's reported offer of three years at $1.5 million per year. His current contract, which he signed upon taking over GM duties in November of 2002, runs out Monday at midnight. "My decision not to return as General Manager of the Red Sox is an extremely difficult one," said Epstein in a statement. "I will always cherish the relationships I developed here and am proud to have worked side-by-side with so many great people, in and out of uniform, as together we brought a World Championship to Boston. Earlier in the day, the Boston Globe cited multiple major league sources as saying that Epstein and the Red Sox had agreed to terms which would keep the 31-year-old with the club through the 2008 campaign. The paper added that an official announcement could come either Monday or Tuesday. However, Epstein was apparently quite uncomfortable with the existing organizational atmosphere, a major reason for his denial of the team's offer. "In my time as General Manager, I gave my entire heart and soul to the organization," he continued. "During the process leading up to today’s decision, I came to the conclusion that I can no longer do so. In the end, my choice is the right one, not only for me but for the Red Sox." The Boston Herald reported that Epstein is not believed to pursue the existing GM openings in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Tampa Bay. Epstein became the youngest general manager in major league history when he took over the Sox at age 28. Boston made the playoffs in each of his three seasons at the helm, including the 2004 World Series sweep of the St. Louis Cardinals that ended 86 years of misery and frustration for Red Sox fans. A native of the Boston suburb of Brookline, Epstein joined the Red Sox as the assistant GM before the 2002 season and was promoted to the top job within a year. "Growing up in the shadow of Fenway Park, I never dreamed of having the chance to work for my hometown team during such an historic period," Epstein said. "My affection for the Red Sox did not begin four years ago when I started working here, and it does not end today."