Houllier tipped to take over from Hiddink

As The Soccer Squirrel revealed first Gerrard Houllier is being strongly linked to replace Guus Hiddink who is stepping down after the 2006 World Cup in order to coach the Russian national side.

The Soccer Squirrel first nominated Houllier as the man to replace Hiddink on April 11th, “Hou is the perfect man for the Australia job?” days before the top selling Australian newspapers linked him to the job. The story is gaining momentum in Europe as Houllier has one year left on his contract at Lyon and it is unknown if he will be offered anything longer.

Houllier has just guided Lyon to their second successive championship in the French Championnat. Lyon also made it to the quarter finals of the Champions League this season before being knocked out by Italian side AC Milan.

Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy has been sounding out possible candidates and sources close to Lowy claim Houllier is top of his wanted list.

“You know what I think. We are looking for an internationally renowned coach,” Lowy told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We are making tentative inquiries, and some inquiries have been made of us. I expect at the completion of the World Cup competition we will make an announcement. I would hope so.

“We can't have a coach who doesn't come to Australia, because there's a lot more to the game than just coming here for the competitive matches. He must impart his knowledge, and experience.”

Lowy also poured cold water on the chances of current assistant coaches Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens taking over from Hiddink.

“They are a good combination - Graham Arnold has been with the team for a long time, and Neeskens is a well-qualified coach with considerable experience,” added Lowy.

“But we are looking for somebody with international experience to take the Socceroos to a much higher level than they are now.”