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NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Mexico's interim coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti appeared to leave the door at least slightly open to taking over El Tri on a permanent basis, should his club team Tigres allow him. Ferretti was speaking in Nashville at a news conference ahead of Mexico's game against the United States and was once again bombarded with questions about his future. "I believe there is a clause [to be allowed to leave], I don't know how much it is," said Ferretti. "Also, first I want to fulfill my contract with Tigres and I wouldn't take the national team for money." Ferretti suggested that the fact he was Mexico's assistant at the 1994 World Cup means he doesn't have any urgent need to manage at a World Cup, but hinted the job could be of interest. "If it happens, it will be other reasons, because of support and everything I have said," Ferretti said. The Brazil-born manager also stated that "the only way is to convince [the Tigres directors]" and that he would be happy to see out the three years remaining on his contract at the club. When asked by reporters if he had interest in coaching the United States, Ferretti said he declined a position in the 1990s to work for the development programs in Major League Soccer. For Tuesday's match, Ferretti will be without Europe-based quartet Hirving Lozano, Erick Gutierrez, Guillermo Ochoa and Raul Jimenez, but the manager said it was his decision to let them leave. "I kicked them out, I didn't need them," said Ferretti, smiling. "I took the decision to send them to their clubs. They wanted to stay, but I was once also a player." Ferretti said that he decided to release the players so they could train with their club sides ahead of weekend league matches, suggesting Mexican players have previously struggled for minutes after making trans-Atlantic trips to play with the national team. LA Galaxy midfielder Jonathan dos Santos was adamant that although many of the Europe-based players and experienced heads are missing for both teams, Tuesday's game in Nissan Stadium is still important. "The rivalry with the United States will always exist," said Dos Santos. "The generation doesn't matter. Like the fans, we will enjoy it." Midfielder Orbelin Pineda has returned to club side Chivas and won't be available either after he picked up a right knee injury.
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