Football
Adriana Garcia, Spain correspondent 6y

No talks over new Argentina coach following Jorge Sampaoli exit - AFA

The Argentina Football Association (AFA) has denied reports that it has begun negotiations to appoint a new manager following the departure of Jorge Sampaoli.

Sampaoli, who took over last summer, left his job two weeks after the World Cup round-of-16 defeat to France.

Reports this week claimed the AFA had approached Colombia's former Argentina coach Jose Pekerman, whose contract with Los Cafeteros expires in August. Peru coach Ricardo Gareca is also reported to be a contender.

"Following Jorge Sampaoli's exit, AFA informs that up to now we have not begun any type of procedures nor have we spoken to any coach," the AFA said in a statement.

"On July 31, at an executive committee meeting, the management will evaluate the next steps to take."

AFA vice-president Daniel Angelici, meanwhile, has spoken highly of both Pekerman and Alejandro Sabella, another ex-Argentina coach.

"I like Perkerman," Angelici told Ole newspaper. "He is a man who has a good CV. But I also like Sabella ... people who have been there and have shown they are capable.

"But right now it's not the time to throw names out there, it's a time to sit down and calmly see where we went wrong in the past 10 years."

Meanwhile, the AFA has said former Argentina international Lionel Scaloni will guide the under-20 national team at the L'Alcudia tournament later this month.

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