• US Soccer Federation denies reports Bradley has quit post • Manager had been linked with Aston Villa vacancy

This article is more than 10 years old

This article is more than 10 years old

The US Soccer Federation intends to continue discussions with the national team coach Bob Bradley amid reports linking him with the vacancy at Aston Villa.

Bradley's contract with the USA national team runs out at the end of December and the coach said before Tuesday's 2-0 friendly defeat to Brazil that talks with the federation had been put on hold until after that game.

A spokesman for the federation denied reports today that Bradley had quit in order to take up the position Martin O'Neill had vacated at Villa.

"The reports that Bob Bradley has resigned are not true," said Neil Buethe, the federation's senior manager of communications. "US Soccer officials plan to continue discussions with Bob in the near future."

Prior to the Brazil game, Bradley said he would love the challenge of coaching in Europe but also said leading USA towards the 2014 World Cup would be a challenge.

Bradley confirmed this week that he had contact with another Premier League team, Fulham, through an intermediary, when their manager's position had been vacant last month.