Independiente Prepare Jersey Number 10 When Aguero Returns Home

JAKARTA - Argentina striker Sergio Aguero is still listed as a Manchester City player and has won everything at the English club. However, Independiente head coach Lucas Pusineri said Aguero's favorite number 10 jersey would already be in place for the striker should he return to his hometown.

Manchester City's all-time leading scorer Aguero left his boyhood club for Atletico Madrid 14 years ago. He often talks about wanting to end his career with El Rojo, nicknamed Independiente.

Aguero turns 32 in June and his City contract lasts until 2021. The appointment of Pusineri - Aguero's former team-mate - as Independiente boss earlier this year put the discussion of Aguero's return afloat.

"Hopefully it will be my turn to coach Kun Aguero," he told Super Miter Deportivo as quoted from Soccerway, Wednesday, April 15. "I am his teammate and hope in the future I will be his coach."

"Hopefully as long as I train Independiente, I can reunite with Sergio. We will give him the number 10."

Pusineri revealed that he was in regular contact with Aguero, although he dismissed rumors that he was seducing his compatriots to return to Independen.

"In the last few days I haven't spoken to him," he said. "We spoke about two months ago, when I congratulated him on a week where he scored a lot of goals.

"It all depends on his desire or willingness to return (to Independiente)," he said.

Independiente won their last Copa Libertadores in 1984, and Pusineri believes that bringing the prestigious South American trophy back to Independiente will certainly appeal to Aguero.

Entrenando en casa // Training at home 🤟🏽 #QuedateEnCasa #stayathome pic.twitter.com/kYFgaQRRhl

- Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) March 30, 2020

"Having Sergio again will be great for all of us who love Independiente," he added. "If I put Independiente in the Copa Libertadores, it will be an important challenge to play with Aguero and for everyone who loves him.

"People love him and he is an idol. Hopefully if we manage to compete at a slightly higher level, (we) will also be able to count on his help."

Aguero has scored 254 goals in 368 games for City, with the 180 goals he scored in the Premier League placing him fourth in the all-time standings in England's top-flight league. He has also scored 12 hat-tricks in the Premier League as well as the best in the competition.

Meanwhile, Independiente finished the 2019-20 Argentine Primera Division season in a disappointing manner. They finished in 14th position.