The two companies announced on Wednesday that talks about a possible merger leading to the creation of a single ITV company had been called off.
The new management structure with Carlton chairman Michael Green holding the same post in the new company and Granada chairman Charles Alan taking the CEO's role meant there would have been no place for Murphy.
It is understood that talks between the two foundered in part because of the future of ITV Digital. Granada was adamant that the £300m due to be invested in ITV Digital under the existing joint venture agreement between the two companies must go ahead, but Carlton wanted to scale back the level of investment.
The two have lost more than £800m in ITV Digital since it was launched, and it not currently due to break even until 2004.
However, despite the breakdown of talks, analysts still believe that the two companies will eventually merge. Speaking at Carlton's AGM yesterday Green said he was still open to offers.
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