Edgardo Bauza wanted Chinese Super League recruit Carlos Tevez to continue playing for Boca Juniors, while the Argentina head coach could call on Mauro Icardi.
Tevez became the latest big name to join the lucrative CSL last month, moving to Shanghai Shenhua in a deal reportedly making him the highest-paid player in the world.
It remains to be seen whether Tevez's departure from Buenos Aires will affect his international chances but Bauza refused to rule out the 32-year-old from his World Cup qualifying plans.
"I would have liked him to continue in Argentina," Bauza told Radio Continental of the 76-time international forward.