Just a day after Graham Arnold stepped down as manager of the Socceroos with immediate effect, the race is already on for his successor.
And the new man to the fore in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers in Asia and on home soil could well be an Australian.
Players such as former Melbourne Victory manager Tony Popovic and A-League final winner John Aloisi have also been mentioned, alongside Kevin Muscat, who is currently manager of Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League.
Other names looking to step into the ring include French-born Herve Renard, who coached Saudi Arabia to the 2022 World Cup, where they defeated eventual winners Argentina, and Nick Montgomery.
The Englishman needs no introduction to Central Coast Mariners fans given his A-League exploits while in charge at Gosford.
‘Monty’ is also currently part of the coaching staff at Tottenham, along with Ange Postecoglou.
René Meulensteen, who worked with Arnold as assistant coach at the Socceroos and previously played for 13 years under Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United, is an option for a permanent role, as is current FC Tokyo head coach Peter Cklamovski.
On Friday, Football Australia CEO James Johnson said he was confident an appointment could be made as Arnold’s successor within “the next week or two”.
Just a day after Graham Arnold stepped down as Socceroos manager with immediate effect, the race for his replacement is on
Tony Popovic won the Asian Champions League with Western Sydney Wanderers – then enjoyed continued success with Melbourne Victory in the A-League (pictured)
John Aloisi has his admirers after winning an A-League grand final with Western United
Kevin Muscat won a J-League title with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2022 and is on course to win the Chinese Super League with Shanghai Port in his first season as manager
Englishman Nick Montgomery was a revelation at Central Coast Mariners in the A-League – he currently works under Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham in the Premier League
“We are already looking for a new coach,” he said.
‘We know who is available and will quickly appoint a permanent coach.’
With the Socceroos’ next World Cup qualifier against China in Adelaide on October 10, it is unlikely that an interim coach will be appointed.
“We want a coach who is tactically astute,” Johnson added. “We also want a coach who understands the Australian mentality and our players.
‘As an organisation, we need to be confident that the coach we hire can guide us through the complicated Asian qualification process (for the 2026 World Cup).
“We just have to make this appointment right.”