With the FFA reported to be making a decision on the coach "imminently", the Everton midfielder has urged the governing body to get the situation sorted for the sake of Australian football.

"It’s one of those things where you say, 'Just hurry up and do it now'," he said. "There’s so much talk, with people asking the same old questions of who’s going to be the next coach for Australia.

"At the end of the day we need to know what we’re doing."

Cahill - who found the net in the UEFA Cup against Zenit St Petersburg last night - also expressed surprise that a coach hadn't been found sooner.

"We shouldn’t have to beg people to be the Australian coach," he added. "It’s a great nation with some great footballers that play all over the world.

"For the sake of Australian football, we need to do it as soon as possible. A new manager is going to come in and not know half of them.

"We need to go into the campaign knowing which direction Australia is going to be taken and the direction for me is appointing someone and that coach having as much time as possible to move Australia forward.

"I’m guessing that at this stage the manager is going to want to come in before the first qualifier and make his mark as soon as possible."

Ex-Korea coach Pim Verbeek and former South Africa and Japan boss Philippe Troussier are said to be the frontrunners for the job, and Tim believes experience on the world stage is a must.

He added: "You want someone with a bit of presence and experience – Hiddink scared other nations by just being there – and for me, it’s the sooner the better.

"I don’t even know who the candidates are, I don’t know who’s involved – it’s just not good for the country. They [FFA] have got to do their homework in who they’re going to bring in but it’s becoming very difficult because a lot of top class managers are with clubs already."

• Stuck for Christmas present ideas? Check out Tim's latest books 'From Club to
Country' and 'From Club to Big Time' from Childhood Heroes at www.childhoodheroes.net