Australians hopes of seeing Diego Maradona in the dugout in the 2015 Asian Cup have been dealt a blow after Palestine's Football Association denied any contact with the Argentinian legend.
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Reports from Argentina and the Middle East suggested Maradona was close to agreeing a deal with Palestine to coach their team at the Asian Cup in Australia.
Though a member of their football association quashed the speculation and said the next national team coach will likely be a local option.
"It's just a rumour", international department's director, Susan R Shalib told DPA.
"The president has said there will be a Palestinian coach this time."
Palestine qualified for their first Asian Cup after winning the AFC Challenge Cup last year.
Maradona is a vocal supporter of Palestine's independence and has not coached since leaving UAE club Al-Wasl in 2012. He led Argentina to the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup.
