And the bookies agree.

Sportsbet.com.au had van Marwijk at 201-1 yesterday, but have now installed the Dutchman at $2.50 with Sydney mentor Graham Arnold favourite at $2.

Fellow Dutch manager Louis Van Gaal is also believed to have been interviewed for the gig, however, 65-year-old Van Marwijk is understood to have emerged as the better option due to lower salary demands and an agreeance to undertake a short-term contract.

Arnold maintains he has not been spoken to by FFA, with the Sky Blues coach reportedly seeking a long-term contract to commence after this year’s World Cup.   

Arnold is understod to be in the mix to join van Marwijk as his World Cup assistant, paving the way for a takeover following Russia.  

Van Marwijk led Saudi Arabia to the World Cup but was let go after contract negotiations broke down.

He helped the Netherlands to second-place at the 2010 World Cup and has also won the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord.

FFA says Ange Postecoglou’s replacement won't be decided on until mid-February.

FFA boss David Gallop said: 

“Through this process we have whittled the names down to a small number of candidates, local and international, and we will soon begin the formal interviews.

"The role has attracted some outstanding individuals and we are confident that we will be able to achieve a very good result for football in Australia.”

The Socceroos have been without a coach since Postecoglou's November resignation. 

Friendlies against Norway and Colombia are scheduled for March.