UPDATED: To see the Socceroos training for tonight's Nigeria match...

The FFA is reportedly holding crisis talks this weekend after Advocaat, who was set to be confirmed in the role this weekend after attending Australia's friendly against Nigeria in London, knocked back an offer to coach the national team.

Just 81 days before Australia's opening World Cup qualifier in February, the FFA has to renew its search for a coach and find a big-name overseas coach to replace Dutchman Guus Hiddink.

Hiddink led Australia to the second round of last year's World Cup finals in Germany before quitting to take up an offer to coach the Russian national team.

Reports said Advocaat has accepted a new deal to remain with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg, said to be worth $4 million a year.

Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper said the FFA had begun talks with Advocaat's lawyers as well as Zenit St Petersburg.

"We are having discussions with Dick's lawyers and Zenit about it," FFA chief executive Ben Buckley told the newspaper from London.

"We have already spoken to their legal guy and the club itself and we will have more discussions with them."

The new coach first looked to be in doubt when the FFA delayed confirming the Nigeria friendly until long after it was announced by Nigerian officials.

It is believed the FFA wanted the match to be Advocaat's first game, and wanted to announce both the friendly and new coach at the same time.

However Advocaat refused to sign a contract until the Russian season was over, and the match was confirmed with Rob Baan in charge instead.

au.fourfourtwo.com first revealed the deal with Advocaat was a long way from being done on August 14.

Advocaat, the preferred candidate, was expected to take over the national job once he completed his club commitments with Zenit on November 11.

But St Petersburg apparently convinced him to remain in Russia, the newspaper said.

Zenit won their first domestic title in the post-Soviet Union era under Advocaat with a hard-fought 1-0 away win at Ramenskoye last weekend.

Advocaat coached the Netherlands at the 1994 World Cup and also guided South Korea to the 2006 finals.

He has also won club titles with PSV Eindhoven and Glasgow Rangers.

UPDATED: To see the Socceroos training for tonight's Nigeria match...