Australia "puts out feelers" in coaching search

SYDNEY (AP) Football Federation Australia says it expects to appoint a new national coach "within a few weeks" to replace the fired Holger Osieck.

Guus Hiddink, who steered Australia's most successful World Cup campaign in 2006, emerged as an early favorite to replace the German-born Osieck.

But Hiddink's agent, Cees van Nieuwenhuizen, told the Australian Broadcast Corporation on Sunday "as things stand today there are no formal negotiations between Guus and the FFA."

He said Australian football was in "a terrible situation" after 6-0 losses to France and Brazil and was not surprised they were interested in Hiddink "considering their last few matches."

But the 66-year-old Hiddink is reportedly also being sought by Poland, Denmark and Hungary and van Nieuwenhuizen said he would not make a decision on his future until the end of the month.

He said while no official negotiations were taking place, FFA technical director Han Berger was a friend of Hiddink and it was likely they had spoken informally.

"He has a number of offers to consider in relation to the World Cup and has not made his mind up yet about anything."

FFA chief executive David Gallop said Osieck's replacement would have to have a strong focus on Australia's longer-term success while producing a competitive showing at next year's World Cup in Brazil.

"This is about the need to rejuvenate, regenerate our team," he said. "We've got a lot to look forward to in the next months and years.

"Brazil is important, as is the Asian Cup 2015 and ultimately we want to be at the next World Cup as well. This is a decision taken in the long term interests of the team."