Hooker, 43, who’s played for Australia at all levels and was Tom Semanni’s number two in the Matildas, evidently impressed Holger Osieck, the instructor on that FIFA coach instructor's course in late 2009.

Eight months later Osieck was the surprise choice as successor to Pim Verbeek in the Socceroo hot-seat.

And Hooker was equally surprised when the phone rang shortly after from the former German national team assistant and ACL winner with Urawa.

“We got along well on the course so I thought Holger was just calling to say hello,” Hooker told au.fourfourtwo.com.

“If you go on these courses or in any job you do, you do the best you can and you never know where things can lead to. Doors open and close all the time.

“I was excited for him to get the job and when he asked me it was a bit of a shock.”

Hooker, who’s on board for the coming World Cup campaign, next heads to Germany in March for a friendly with the highly rated Germans.

In the lead-up there will also be a training camp featuring a select number of younger, mainly European-based players selected by Socceroo assistant and Olyroo coach Aurelio Vidmar, FFA technical director Han Berger and Osieck.

Hooker said his role with the Matildas was more encompassing simply because of the staffing levels between the two. There were other differences too.

"When you have a Socceroo squad you treat everyone the same but obviously the key players are at another level than some other players but that's why they're playing in leagues like the EPL.

"But to work with all the players is great. It's a pleasure. Being a professional coach there's nothing like working with players on the same level."

Hooker made his name at Sydney Olympic then West Adelaide in the 1990s and racked up 22 appearances for the senior national team between 1990 and 1998, including a number under Terry Venables.

The former defender began work late last year with a couple of Socceroo friendlies before the hard work began at the Asian Cup in January.

So he had a track record in the national team but was still nervous on his first day with Osieck and the Socceroos.

“You’re always apprehensive on your first day and you’re always trying to impress.

"I think the most important not to over-do things and not try to prove to people in your first session you’re a good coach.

“Eventually I think people will work that out down the track.”