Sources have told au.fourfourtwo.com that the former striker – who scored against Mark Bosnich for Maradona’s Argentina against the Socceroos in their 1993 World Cup qualifier in Sydney – is being talked about seriously.

However whether the job is as a coach or as a technical director/football operations remains the question.

This is not the first time the prolific former Serie A hitman has been linked with Australia. He’s been a regular visitor to see his former teammate Gabriel Batistuta who called Perth home in recent years.

And when Balbo, 45, visited Australia last year, he made it clear he wanted to work in this country.

In February 2010, Balbo was a guest of the FFA for a coaching seminar. He visited Sydney and in front of the iconic Opera House told the Sydney Morning Herald of his desire to bring his family to Australia and work in the A-League.

'The Dutch influence is good,'' Balbo says. ''But maybe I can give some different ideas.

"My ideal team is the defensive face of the Italians, and an offensive face like the Argentinians. I can give another vision.

''It is a beautiful country, my family would be very happy to live here, so why not?,'' he added. ''If there is an opportunity here I would be delighted.''

Sydney FC are currently looking for a technical director and have hired FFA technical director Han Berger and his counterpart at FNSW Alex Tobin to head up a committee to oversee a decision. Coincidentally Bosnich is also on that committee.

But we can reveal one other big A-League club is believed to have the Argentine and former Roma great on their recruitment radar.

Balbo, a UEFA A licenced coach but with limited high level coaching experience having managed Italian clubs Treviso and Atletico Arezzo, currently works in Italy’s football media.