Updated: July 22, 2007
Aussies hunt for new coach after Asian Cup exit

HANOI, July 22 (Reuters) - Australia are planning to fast-forward their search for a new national coach after the Socceroos were bundled out of the Asian Cup quarter-finals on Saturday.

Football Federation Australia (FFA) said they were conducting an international search to find a new coach to replace Graham Arnold in time for the 2010 World Cup qualifiers.

Arnold was given the job of leading the Australians at the Asian Cup on a temporary basis but the Socceroos' loss to Japan on penalties has prompted the FFA to accelerate their search for a replacement.

'We've always said we were undertaking a global search for a national team coach that would take us through to 2010 and that continues,' FFA chief ????utive Ben Buckley told reporters on Sunday.

'We hope to do it as soon as practically possible, within the next couple of months.

'It's always a bit difficult to put a timeline on these things but we'd hope to conclude it as soon as possible.'

Buckley said Arnold would remain in charge of the Australian under 23s team, but the FFA wanted a higher-profile manager to guide the national senior team through their World Cup qualifying campaign.

'Graham's been aware that we've been conducting a global search,' Buckley said.

'We've been very happy with his performance, we understand he's in a challenging situation and we think his preparation was very good.

'He's conducted himself well throughout the tournament.'

Guus Hiddink coached Australia at last year's World Cup in Germany and his Dutch compatriot Dick Advocaat has already been linked to the new job, but Buckley said there had been no decision on a replacement yet.

The Asian World Cup qualifying campaign starts next year but an appointment could be made before Australia's next game, a friendly against Argentina in Melbourne in September.

'We're conscious that we have a game scheduled but we want to get the decision right and make that as soon as possible,' Buckley said.

'The search is still going on. It could take an indefinite period of time.

'I won't comment on anyone that we've spoken to in the past but at this point in time we don't have an agreement with anyone.'

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