Stubbins, who as an assistant coach to Aurelio Vidmar was regarded as the brains behind Adelaide’s run to the 2008 Asian Champions League final, is back in South Australia after a coaching stint in the Thai Premier League.

The former NSL attacking midfielder joined Adelaide United in 2007 before losing his job under the disastrous regime of coach Rini Coolen.

Stubbins told the Adelaide Advertiser: "With the vacant position as the head coach now available and my previous experiences with the club I certainly feel confident of taking the club forward if given the opportunity.”

It’s understood the FFA National Technical Director Han Berger favours the appointment of a younger, up and coming coach for a role still vacant after the club made it clear interim head coach Michael Valkanis would return to his assistant role.

Stubbins worked at the AIS before his spell in Thailand where he impressed the likes of Berger with his ability to get the best out of younger players as well as his technical approach. Stubbins  is a former VPL coach of the year.

United’s new coaching selection panel – now in place after the first coaching panel sensationally quit citing their opposition to Valkanis remaining in the Reds coaching department –  have the task of finding a new head coach.

Led by football director Michael Petrillo, the panel must get this appointment right in order for the club to move forward after days of negative headlines following the Reds exit from the A-League Elimination Final.

Media speculation has former Adelaide City and Socceroo goal-machien Damian Mori, ex Melbourne Victory boss Ernie Merrick, Miron Bleiberg and current  assistant manager at Bari, Nunzio Zavettieri, as potential head coaches, according to the newspaper.