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Matias Almeyda would not turn down the chance to manage Mexico or his native Argentina, should the opportunity arise in the coming weeks. The 44-year-old former River Plate player and manager left Liga MX side Chivas last month after a successful period in charge culminated in winning the CONCACAF Champions league back in April. Almeyda has continued living in Guadalajara since departing the club and would likely be one of the options should Juan Carlos Osorio's contract with El Tri not be renewed. "Today I'm an unemployed coach and obviously [managing Mexico and Argentina] are dreams to accomplish and fulfill," Almeyda said in an interview with ESPN's Futbol Picante. "And the Mexico national team and Argentina, like others, are important ... Who wouldn't like a job like that? "It wouldn't be taking it for the sake of it, but [I'd need to] understand the project. "There are a lot of qualified people, but I'm here and without a job. We've started to listen to different proposals to carry on working." Almeyda confirmed he hasn't had any contact from either the Mexican or Argentine federation and wouldn't state which country's national team he would prefer should both be interested. The former midfielder was reportedly close to becoming the head coach at Al Rayyan in Qatar and stated that he couldn't come to an agreement with Leeds United, before Marcelo Bielsa became manager last month. A decision on Osorio's future is expected to be made in coming weeks, but Jorge Sampaoli will continue as Argentina coach until the end of the month, making El Tri arguably the more probable option for Almeyda, who consistently praised Mexican players in his time at Chivas. "I have a great appreciation for Mexican football ... I have special affection because its has helped me grow as a coach," said Almeyda. "The Mexican player has a lot of technique and self-respect. "I think you have to give the Mexican footballers confidence that they can aspire to be world champions, but since I arrived here the 'fifth game' [at a World Cup] is always talked about and you don't play for that, [you play] to [win] championships." Almeyda began his coaching career immediately after River Plate was relegated from Argentina's top division in 2011 and managed to steer Los Millonarios back up the next season.
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