Cruz was appointed in charge of Boro's academy recruitment in May. The Brazilian knows Australian football well having spent four years working for the Brisbane Roar.

Cruz served as football manager and then director of football at the Roar from 2007 to 2011, and then ran the Asia Pacific region for player management company Sport Promotion Consultancy.

Cruz told FourFourTwo that tapping into the Aussie talent pool is one of his plans at the English side.

"Without a doubt. There's definitely something long-term that I will start exploring a lot more," he said.

"Middlesbrough has a very strong history with Australian players. Viduka, Brad Jones, Schwarzer, Rhys Williams of course.

"At the moment there is no Aussie players here, but ideally because there has been such a successful kind of experience with Australian players, and with myself knowing the market in Australia, you won't be surprised in the future to find young talented Aussie players coming to Middlesbrough.

"That's one of the goals, not just from Australia and New Zealand. With the language and the background it's a bit easier to adapt to the lifestyle. And I guess the mentality as well, in Australia in particular, Australians have competitive blood naturally in any sport. So it's always a very good mentality.

"I think that's why when Australians get the opportunity to play in a high level they normally succeed. Because Australia's a little bit far some times it's just the opportunity which is an issue. The talent, I know I've been there.

"Of course the system is completely different than what we have in England. But because it's such a multicultural country as well you do have a lot of potential, of good players, especially if you develop [them] from a young age."

A naturalised Australian citizen, Cruz holds a strong affinity with the country and with football down under. The 35-year old is still finding his feet at Middlesbrough but hopes to take advantage of his contacts and relationships in Australia.

"I'm still getting the feel of the mentality and the philosophy here, so slowly I can start introducing different ideas and increasing the network abroad," he said.

"Australia, because I spent quite a bit of time over there, it will definitely be a country I will exploring in the future. Without a doubt.

"There's a lot of internal changes at the club. Middlesbrough has always had a very solid academy, but mainly for local players. Of course with the Premier League being so international, we're recruiting youth players from overseas.

"It's a big challenge but it's a massive move for my career. I'm learning so much. My main focus is players aged 16 to 23. I'm in charge of offering players their first professional contract and the scholarships, of managing their whole department and of signing the players."