French World Cup star emerges as Aussie candidate

Gerard Houllier is expected to turn down the chance to become involved with Australia’s 2006 World Cup campaign when he meets with the country’s soccer chiefs in Athens.

But that could open the door for former French World Cup star Manuel Amoros to lead the Socceroos.

Amoros, 42, has instructed his agent Alain Barataud to relay his interest in “any coaching role available” to Soccer Australia chief executive John O’Neill.

The defender, who played at the 1982 and 1986 World Cup finals and won a European Championship medal in 1984, is currently in charge of Kuwait’s junior teams.

He believes Australia possess world-class players in Harry Kewell and Mark Viduka but lack the structure to nail down their “rightful place” among the world’s top 30 nations.

“If you ask if I want the job [as national coach] I will say yes,” Amoros told the Sydney Daily Telegraph.

“Your national team should do better and qualify for every World Cup. I’d like to become involved.”

Asked whether he could work alongside present coach Frank Farina, Amoros replied: “No, if you are the national coach you bring in your own people - somebody like (former Blackburn and West Ham striker) Robbie Slater who had a spell in France with Lens.

“But if Australia are after a technical director I’m not the man because for that you need somebody with vast experience.”

Amoros believes Farina is fortunate to have survived for five years, saying: “Any European or South American coach would have been dismissed after 2001.”

He described the tactics employed against the Turks in May – where Australia lost 3-1 and 1-0 – as “too defensive”.

“When you’re at home you must put on a show for the fans and be afraid of nobody,” said Amoros.