Pekerman early favorite for Mexico

Former Argentina national team coach José Pekerman is thought to be one of the frontrunners for the vacant Mexico position following the sacking of Hugo Sánchez on Monday.

Sánchez was sacked on Monday after failing to guide Mexico through to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and although Jesús Ramírez will take over in the short term, the Mexican Football Federation has already begun its search for a long-term successor.

Top of its list is thought to be José Pekerman -- currently in charge of Toluca -- who led Argentina's U-20 team to three World Youth Championships (1995, 1997 and 2001) before taking the full national team to the quarterfinals of the 2006 World Cup.

Pekerman is contracted to Toluca until June and suggested that the federation may have to wait until his contract has expired if it is to make an approach for his services.

"At the moment I am not thinking about being a candidate for the national team coach, I only think about the job I am doing at Toluca. There has been no approach and I would not speak to them while I am here, as I believe no true professional would," he told reporters.

A number of other names have been thrown into the ring alongside Pekerman should he not get the nod, with Carlos Bianchi, Marcelo Lippi, Mario Carrillo and Raúl Arias also linked with the position.

"In the next few days there will be a meeting where ideas will be presented as to who should become the new coach of the national selection," announced Decio De María, technical secretary of the Mexican Federation.