While others have blasted former coach Pim Verbeek, Cahill has praised his old boss but as the FFA move towards finding a replacement, the Everton man hopes they won't forget the importance of local knowledge.

Speaking with News Ltd today, Cahill made his thoughts very clear.

"We need some European experience (coach), but also it's important we keep an Australian voice at the heart of it," he said. "Ex-players who have done something, having someone like Craig Moore around to influence the players and bring the Australian breed through as well.

"We're looking overseas in Europe for the quality, but they'll know nothing about Australian football or Australian attitudes. If he's not Dutch he won't be prepped the same way Pim was (by Guus Hiddink).

"What Graham Arnold did for the game as assistant coach was fantastic. He knew us in Europe and he knew the A-League."

The FFA have already put at least one Australian connection in place with Aurelio Vidmar to be an assistant coach and boss of the Olyroos.

Cahill also had warm words for the previous coach, Verbeek.

"The coach was fantastic, over two and a half years he became very close to the players. At media conferences people expect reaction, controversy and so on but he gave them the minimum and gave us the maximum," he added.