Felipe Contepomi pours cold water on talk of Argentina move

While Contepomi revealed he has not had any official communication from the Argentinian union, he admitted that he would be open to discussing any head coach opportunities that may arise.

The 44-year-old, who won 87 caps for the Pumas, has another year left on his current Leinster contract, with Contepomi making it clear he is happy in Dublin.

Argentina are currently in the market for a new boss after Mario Ledesma left his position at the start of February.

The Pumas have been hit particularly hard by the pandemic and with the World Cup just 18 months away, they are in a race to get their house in order.

It remains to be seen if Argentina will make an official approach for their legendary former out-half, who is a key part of the Leinster backroom team.

“There’s not much I can say, from the union, no one contacted me,” Contepomi said.

“I think it comes more from a rumour. From what I read in the news, I haven’t heard anything official from the union publicly, I have as much information as you.

“I think it’s more of an estimation because they put the names of Argentinian professional coaches, which is not that many, so that’s how they chucked them into it (story). But there is nothing obvious that I know.”

Asked if the Argentina job would appeal to him, Contepomi said: “Look, obviously international rugby is the pinnacle for coaching. But having said that, I always say in this profession, it’s very, very difficult to draw a pathway.

“If even (Lionel) Messi, the best player ever maybe, couldn’t even decide his future, imagine what it’s like for us! I am really happy here. I have got one more year on my contract. I am happy, I think I am lucky I am in an environment that many people would like to be.

“I am just focusing on the present. It’s something we always ask the players to do, so if we ask them to do it, we have to do it ourselves. It’s part of my job, I am really happy here.”

Contepomi added that he had aspirations of becoming a head coach one day.

“If an opportunity comes up to become a head coach or something else, I will definitely take it into account and I’ll discuss it. It’s always very open here (in Leinster) and that’s the good thing.”