MADRID, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- Deportivo Alaves coach Eduardo Caudet said he has still not been in contact with the Argentinean club River Plate about a move back to his homeland.

Caudet, who made over 100 appearances for the Argentinean giant as a player over a five-year spell between 1999 and 2004, has been tipped in the Spanish and Argentinean press as the successor to Marcelo Gallardo at the club. However, speaking after Alaves' 2-0 defeat to Levante late on Friday night, he said he has not spoken to representatives of River Plate about taking change.

"As things stand today, I have not had any calls from River," he told the press, adding that "I am still working here (Alaves) but it is an honor that a top club such as River Plate has me on its list of candidates."

Caudet doesn't have a release clause in his contract with Alaves, so the two clubs would have to negotiate his departure with just 12 weeks left in the season.

"I am used to this as I have worked at Spanish clubs and also in Argentina and Brazil. River is a top club and it's an honor to be a candidate," he insisted. ■