Former Barcelona manager Tato Martino will be offered the vacant managerial position with Argentina, according to a report from South America.

The position has been left vacant since Alejandro Sabella confirmed that he has resigned from the position as head coach. According to Canchellena, there were a long list of candidates including Jose Pekerman and Diego Simeone, but Martino has proven to be the way forward for the AFA.

Mundo Deportivo are also reporting that a member of the Paraguayan FA has told Radio Cardinal that Paraguay’s approach for Martino to manage their national side has been rejected, so this rumor has substantial basis.

If he is to take on the job, Martino will be reunited with Argentine pair Lionel Messi and Javier Mascherano who played under him at Barcelona. Martino started the season at Barcelona positively, playing a quicker and more direct form of soccer that lead to a 21 game unbeaten streak to start his tenure, but his season started to lose momentum towards the latter stages of the season. He won the Supercopa de Espana, the Spanish equivalent to the Community Shield, but failed to add to his trophy tally by the end of the season, before announcing his resignation.

Spending just a single season at Barcelona, the former Paraguay and Newell’s Old Boys coach may well be looking for a hasty return to soccer, and the vacancy at Argentina could provide him with that opportunity.

You can follow Jordan Willis on Twitter @JMWillis01