Advocaat linked to Australia post

Dick Advocaat has agreed to become the next coach of the Australian national team, according to newspaper reports in the country.

The Dutchman is currently in charge of Russian side Zenit St Petersburg, and although he is believed to agreed a deal with the Football Federation of Australia, no official announcement will be made until the end of the Russian season in November.

Current coach Graham Arnold, who led the Socceroos to the quarter-finals of the AFC Asian Cup last month, is therefore likely to oversee upcoming friendlies against Argentina and China before stepping down in October.

The 59-year-old Advocaat coached South Korea at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has also had spells in charge of Holland, PSV Eindhoven and Scottish outfit Rangers.