Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone said he's confident his time will come to manage the national team in his native Argentina, but added that he was not offered the job after the 2014 World Cup.
"No, but I know it'll happen one day," Simeone said in an interview with FIFA.com. "I've always said in the national team you have room for what I call the son, father and grandfather types. In coaching terms, I think it's a place for a grandfather -- someone more serene and composed who can see things in a different way.
"I still feel I need to be on the pitch, doing training and being with players day-in, day-out. The national team cannot give you that," said Simeone. "Is it something I'd like to do one day? Absolutely! I spent 12 or 14 years with the team -- it was a privileged time and very much part of my life. Hopefully it will come to pass at the perfect time for both parties."
The Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Germany in the World Cup final. Argentina hired former Barcelona manager Gerardo "Tata" Martino to succeed Alejandro Sabella shortly after the World Cup.
It is Martino's second spell as a national team coach after a lengthy stint as Paraguay boss from 2006 to 2011, highlighted by a run to the quarterfinals of the 2010 World Cup and an appearance in the 2011 Copa America final.
Simeone, who is gearing up for Thursday's Copa del Rey last-16, second-leg clash at Real Madrid, said Argentina has plenty of talent.
"Coaching Lionel Messi wouldn't be a bad thing... Messi is a matchwinner who needs a team [built around him] to be even more effective. We were very close at the last World Cup and hopefully Gerardo [Martino], who already knows him from his time at Barcelona, can assemble a team that gets the best out of him," Simeone said. "Above all, hopefully he can encourage his players to be a team. That's the best thing you can do for Messi."