Sao Paulo's Colombian coach Juan Carlos Osorio said he will decide his future in the coming days, and admitted that conversations over becoming Mexico head coach have taken place.
"I believe that we all try to become the best prepared possible for when an opportunity arrives," he stated in a press conference on Friday. "Mexico is an elite national team, that could go to the World Cup. And I want to go to a World Cup. But now my heart is here."
Osorio has been rumored to be the front-runner for the Mexico job, which was vacated when Miguel Herrera was fired from his position after El Tri won the Gold Cup in July.
"Opportunities have come. I never called to the Mexican federation: 'Please, think of me,'" Osoario said.
"I won't go to any other club, however at national team level, I can't lie and say I'm not interested. For any manager, to go to a World Cup, is attractive. The highest point in a sporting career, for a manager," the former Nacional coach said.
The former Chicago Fire and New York Red Bulls coach seemed to suggest he would be deciding on his future in coming days.
"I want to coach in a World Cup before [I am] 60," said Osorio. "I would like to beat Palmeiras [Sunday] and Vasco [de Gama on Wednesday] and [then] make the best decision."
The 54-year-old also hinted that he didn't fully trust Sao Paulo's directors, who have put pressure on Osorio to achieve results despite having sold a majority of the team's top players since he took over in May.
"There's a lot of cynical people, hypocrisy in football. With four bad results I'm in the street. I cling to the job," Osorio said.
Osorio has won four league titles in Colombia's top division, but only lasted a handful of league games when he was at Puebla in the Liga MX, however former Mexico manager Herrera gave his vote of support on Friday.
"[Osorio] isn't a bad option, he's already worked in Mexico, but the decision is for the directors," said Herrera in an interview Friday with ESPN Digital, adding that Osorio is a "Great worker [and] a extraordinary guy."
Mexico is currently under the command of interim coach Ricardo "Tuca" Ferretti, who will guide the team in the Oct. 10 Confederations Cup playoff against the United States in Pasadena.
El Tri begin their World Cup qualification on Nov. 13 at home to El Salvador and then travels to Honduras on Nov. 17.