Argentine Football Association (AFA) president Claudio Tapia on Friday denied contacting Javier Mascherano about the Albiceleste's vacant coaching position.

Reports in the Argentine press have linked the Hebei China Fortune midfielder with the national team's top job, which is being occupied on an interim basis by former Deportivo La Coruna wing-back Lionel Scaloni.

But Tapia said the AFA has yet to talk with anybody other than Scaloni and his assistants Pablo Aimar and Walter Samuel.

"I haven't spoken with Mascherano but, if in the future he decides to be a coach and he is able to transmit what he does on the pitch (as a player), he could be great," Tapia told reporters.

Mascherano, Argentina's most capped player, retired from international football in July following the team's 4-3 loss to France in the FIFA World Cup round of 16.

The 34-year-old, whose contract with Fortune expires next year, has expressed interest in coaching after ending his playing career.

Scaloni was named Argentina's caretaker coach in early August, replacing Jorge Sampaoli, who was sacked after the team's erratic performances in Russia.

Tapia said the AFA plans to hold talks with former national team players and coaches to identify the best candidate to take charge of the national team on permanent basis.

Argentina will play friendlies against Guatemala in Los Angeles and Colombia in New Jersey on Sept. 7 and 11, respectively, in their first matches since the FIFA World Cup in Russia. 

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