Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold may be the leading candidate to replace Ange Postecoglou as Socceroos coach but that position may remain vacant for a number of weeks with Football Federation Australia yet to formally commence the job hunt.
Fairfax Media understands the FFA's preference is to hire a local, Australian coach to lead the country to the 2018 World Cup in Russia and beyond putting Arnold in the box seat to take charge of the national team. However, that preference is far from iron clad and the abrupt departure of Postecoglou - despite weeks of speculation - came before the FFA had commenced any searches or interviews for their next coach.
An unrivalled experience within Australian football, a record of five major trophies in the A-League and a past with the national team makes Arnold the man most likely to take charge of the Socceroos but he will face competition from several other Australian coaches for that position, as well as others from abroad.
Sydney FC have not been approached by the FFA on the subject of a potential move for Arnold but with another year-and-a-half to run on his contract and a frosty relationship between the organisation and clubs, it's possible Arnold would not be released freely.
"Graham Arnold is Sydney FC's head coach, he is under contract and we envisage further success for the club under Graham's leadership going forward," a Sydney FC spokesman said. "We have had no contact from anyone regarding Graham and his role at Sydney FC."
Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat is another strong candidate for the Socceroos job and presents a closer alignment to Postecoglou's coaching style, having spent time working as his assistant. John Aloisi from Brisbane Roar is an outside chance while Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic may be considered.
As far as foreign options go, the FFA has not yet explored any but a set of strict criteria is being devised. It surrounds issues of playing styles - ensuring any foreign coach has a proven record of playing attacking football, will continue with the current support staff, has the experience of coaching international football and will work as an ambassador of the game within Australia.
It's understood the FFA have not yet received many applications for the top job in Australia despite the opportunity to take charge of a team at a World Cup and through to an Asian Cup in January 2019. With nearly four months until the Socceroos next possible friendly game, the FFA won't likely turn their attention to appointing a new coach until after the crucial EGM on November 30 which will be the last opportunity for chairman Steven Lowy to gain support for a new congress before FIFA will introduce a 'normalising committee' that disbands the FFA board.
"We don't play till March, so we have got a bit of time and it's important we take that time to look at what is out there," FFA chief executive David Gallop said. "We will take our time and make sure we get the right person for the job."
Postecoglou's immediate departure from the FFA means the Australian delegation will travel to Russia next week for the World Cup draw without a head coach. It's understood the national team will be represented by assistant coach Ante Milicic and head of the national teams, Luke Casserly. FFA head of events, Aaron Humphries, will attend alongside head of International Affairs, Mark Falvo, who will likely finalise deals with opponents for pre-tournament friendly games while in Moscow. It's understood Lowy and Gallop are set to fly to Russia immediately after the FFA EGM.
