Links with John Gregory, the former boss of Aston Villa, to the job as head coach of the Hungarian football team have been played down by the Hungarian Football Association, saying that they have yet to decide who is set to become their new national coach.

Former west Germany legend Lothar Matthaus left the post in December, and in an interview with the Daily Telegraph, Gregory said that there may be “something in the next 10 days.”

But the Hungarian FA will not make an appointment until they have voted in a new president on 27 February.

“Until we have a president it is speculation,” Hungarian FA spokesman Mortin Dinnyes told BBC Sport.

Hungary's football chiefs are scheduled to appoint a new president at an extraordinary general meeting.

Dinnyes added: “The Hungarian FA does not have a legal president and board and it is their duty to vote for a new head coach.

“Until an extraordinary congress, in which the new board and president are appointed, there is no real sense to speak about who can be the new coach.”

But as regards to speculation as to who will succeed Matthaus, Dinnyes gave away nothing, saying: “From the Hungarian FA's point of view, it is no more than imagination and thinking.”

Former president of the Hungarian FA Imre Bozoki left the post in January, and the deadline for applicants to apply to succeed him closes today the 14 February.

If Gregory is successful, the 51-year-old would take over from Matthaus, whose contract was not renewed after he failed to take the team to this summer's World Cup finals.

Gregory's first game in charge may be against England, who are scheduled to play Hungary at the new Wembley stadium on 30 May, as long as the stadium is completed in time.

The former England midfielder began his managerial career at Portsmouth and he also had a spell at Plymouth.

He took over at Wycombe Wanderers in October 1996, where he helped the team avoid relegation and remained in charge for two years.

Gregory then took over at Aston Villa in the 1997/98 season and during the four years under Gregory's management Villa never failed to finish within the top eight in the English Premiership.

He has also managed Derby and has been out of management since leaving the Rams in March 2003.

However, Dinnyes added that several names other than Gregory’s had been linked with the position.

“His name was published by Nemzeti Sport, the biggest Hungarian sport's paper, but together with say another 12 or so names from all over the continent,” added Dinnyes.

“After Matthaus, everyone in Hungary wants a big name, together with experience and some kind of achievement.”