Argentina denied reports Friday that players want coach Jorge Sampaoli sacked before their final World Cup group game against Nigeria after a humbling 3-0 defeat by Croatia.

‘It’s absolutely false,’ read a statement from an Argentine team official, reports the AFP.

Breaking news coming out that the Argentina players want Jorge Sampaoli out and Jorge Burruchaga to manage the final World Cup game against Nigeria.

— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) June 22, 2018

‘All that has been said about a players’ meeting or anything else, it is all false,’ the source added.

Following Thursday’s match, there were reports in both local and international media of a rift between Argentina players and the coaching staff.

It was also suggested that 1986 World Cup winner Jorge Burruchaga, the team’s technical director, would take charge for Tuesday’s must-win game against Nigeria.

‘They want to sack Sampaoli, bring in Burruchaga and follow Spain’s example,’ Ricardo Caruso Lombardi, who has coached several Argentine clubs, said on Thursday.

 We're sure Jorge Sampaoli will still get work with Stavros Flatley after he gets sacked by Argentina...#ARG #ARGCRO pic.twitter.com/Olwj3iJDVq

— The Sportsman (@TheSportsman) June 21, 2018

Argentina suffered their heaviest first round group-stage defeat at the World Cup since 1958 against Croatia, leaving them on the brink of elimination after an opening 1-1 draw with Iceland.