Sources in Italy have confirmed to au.fourfourtwo.com that 62-year-old Nevio Scala's CV has sent to the office of Football Federation Australia.

The FFA will meet with the Italian most likely in Australia over the coming months with the coach keen to come to Australia and check out the FFA's operation. 

The experienced Italian last coached at Spartak Moscow in 2004 . He's also a former Parma, Besiktas and Borussia Dortmund boss. Scala began coaching in 1988 with Reggina.

Scala has also applied to coach Scotland in recent years on three separate occasions, the last being in 2009 with Craig Levein pipping him for the post.

"I've every confidence in my own ability and I am still hungry to be a successful coach. Why not with Scotland?" Scala told the BBC last year.

"I have coached in several European countries and I have always had no difficulties with language or settling in. We speak the universal language of football."

While Scala would be an outsider, Rijkaard remains the front-runner for the Socceroo post as FFA's Phil Wolanski works through the selection process following the exit of current Socceroo boss Pim Verbeek after the 2010  World Cup.