ASUNCION, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- Veteran Argentine manager Daniel Garnero is the frontrunner to assume Paraguay's vacant head coaching role, according to widespread media reports.

Garnero, 54, is currently the manager of Libertad but has expressed a willingness to leave the Asuncion-based club to take charge of the Albirroja, local news outlet El Futbolero reported.

The position became available on Sunday when the Paraguayan Football Association sacked Guillermo Barros Schelotto following the team's poor start to South America's 2026 World Cup qualifying tournament.

Paraguay are currently sixth in the 10-team standings, having opened their campaign with a goalless home draw against Peru and a 1-0 away defeat to Venezuela earlier this month.

The team's next qualifiers will be an away clash with Argentina on October 12 and a home duel against Bolivia five days later.