(REUTERS) - Jordi Cruyff has resigned as Ecuador coach without visiting the country or working with the team seven months after being appointed.

The former Barcelona and Manchester United midfielder had delayed travelling to take on his new position because of the Covid-19 pandemic but was supposed to eventually arrive last week.

However, the Dutchman asked for more time to reflect on the job, prompting the Ecuadorian football federation to ask him to quit.

"We are almost three months away from the start of World Cup qualifying. It is a short time to reorganise and work on a successor," said a football federation statement.

"It is our priority that whoever takes over can assure continuity to the national team's plan that allows us to achieve our objective of qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup."

Ecuador's first qualifying match is against Argentina in October.

The 46-year-old Cruyff, son of the late footballing great Johan, had signed a three-year contract. He has previous coaching experience in China, Cyprus, Israel and Malta.