SYDNEY - Guus Hiddink emerged yesterday as a leading contender to coach Australia, with the country's football chief indicating that the Dutchman had been sounded out following the sacking of Holger Osieck.
Osieck's contract was terminated on Saturday just eight months out from the World Cup after the Socceroos were thrashed 6-0 by France in an international friendly in Paris.
Despite guiding them to next year's flagship tournament in Brazil, the veteran German's position had been on the line ahead of Friday's match in Paris after the team was hit for six by Brazil a month ago.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop told Fox Sports in France on Saturday that preliminary talks had taken place with Dutchman Hiddink, 66, who steered Australia to their best-ever placing at the World Cup when they reached the second round in Germany in 2006.
"There's often conversations and it's fair to say some feelers have been put out. Nothing more than that at this stage," Gallop said.
Gallop said the FFA wanted a new coach appointed in time for Australia's home friendlies in November.
Hiddink, who was at Seoul's World Cup Stadium on Saturday to watch the friendly between South Korea and Brazil, did not say whether he was interested in a Socceroos return.
His agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, indicated that Hiddink would not make a decision until the end of this month.
"Guus is on a vacation and I will not discuss his future plans with him until the end of October," Van Nieuwenhuizen said.
"Guus will certainly listen to what they say, and his memories of his previous association with Australia are only good.
"He is keen to coach at the next World Cup and Australia is an option.
"Guus has already spoken with Han Berger (FFA technical director)."
Socceroos look at Guus
SYDNEY - Guus Hiddink emerged yesterday as a leading contender to coach Australia, with the country's football chief indicating that the Dutchman had been sounded out following the sacking of Holger Osieck.
Osieck's contract was terminated on Saturday just eight months out from the World Cup after the Socceroos were thrashed 6-0 by France in an international friendly in Paris.
Despite guiding them to next year's flagship tournament in Brazil, the veteran German's position had been on the line ahead of Friday's match in Paris after the team was hit for six by Brazil a month ago.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief executive David Gallop told Fox Sports in France on Saturday that preliminary talks had taken place with Dutchman Hiddink, 66, who steered Australia to their best-ever placing at the World Cup when they reached the second round in Germany in 2006.
"There's often conversations and it's fair to say some feelers have been put out. Nothing more than that at this stage," Gallop said.
Gallop said the FFA wanted a new coach appointed in time for Australia's home friendlies in November.
Hiddink, who was at Seoul's World Cup Stadium on Saturday to watch the friendly between South Korea and Brazil, did not say whether he was interested in a Socceroos return.
His agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, indicated that Hiddink would not make a decision until the end of this month.
"Guus is on a vacation and I will not discuss his future plans with him until the end of October," Van Nieuwenhuizen said.
"Guus will certainly listen to what they say, and his memories of his previous association with Australia are only good.
"He is keen to coach at the next World Cup and Australia is an option.
"Guus has already spoken with Han Berger (FFA technical director)."
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