Egyptian Football Association (EFA) chairman Samir Zaher rubbished reports indicating that former Colombia defender Francisco Maturana is being lined up to occupy the national team’s vacant managerial seat.

“We are not in talks with Maturanato to succeed Shehata,” Zaher said on Friday after widespread reports said the 62-year-old was a frontrunner to take over at the Pharaohs.

“We have no intention to hire any foreign coach. The new coach will be chosen from the domestic league.”

Shehata left Egypt by mutual consent after a disappointing goalless draw at home to South Africa all but ended the team’s hopes of qualifying for next year’s African Cup of Nations finals in Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

Several coaches were linked with Egypt’s hot-seat, including Ittihad El-Shorta manager Talaat Youssef, Zamalek’s Hossam Hassan and former Masry boss Mokhtar Mokhtar.