Defense Secretary Robert Gates testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Capitol Hill in Washington April 15, 2008. REUTERS/Jonathan Ernst

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Wednesday squashed speculation that he might agree to stay on as Pentagon chief under the next president’s administration.

“The circumstances under which I would do that are inconceivable to me,” Gates told reporters.

Speculation had circulated in Washington and at the Pentagon that Sen. John McCain, the Republican nominee for president, would ask Gates to stay for a transition period to ensure continuity in war strategy.

Gates did not comment on that speculation, but said he only planned to stay in his job through January 2009, when President George W. Bush leaves office.