Former Dutch and South Korean national coach Guus Hiddink has been linked with the Australian national football team on a part-time basis, Australian local media reported on Sunday.

The 58-year-old, who captivated the football world when he took co-hosts South Korea to the 2002 World Cup semifinals, had met with Football Federation Australia (FFA) officials in England, said the Sun-Herald.

A deal would initially involve Hiddink taking over the Australian team on a part-time basis while he juggles his coaching commitments with Dutch club PSV Eindhoven, according to the report.

Former head coach of Australian national team Frank Farina leftthe job shortly after Australia failed to win any of their three group matches and conceded 10 goals at the Confederations Cup in Germany late last month.

Australia, who have not reached the World Cup finals since their only appearance in Germany in 1974, take on the Solomon Islands in the Oceania play-offs in September before an anticipated meeting against a yet-to-be determined South American team in November for a berth to the 2006 World Cup in Germany.

Editor: Donald