The Dutchman, who recently resigned as the boss of South Korea after taking them to third place in the AFC Asian Cup, has been linked with a possible return to football with the Socceroos as Dick Advocaat's right-hand man.

But Verbeek played down the suggestion, insisting it would be a backward step if he were to again play second fiddle to his countryman after fulfilling the same role at Borussia Monchengladbach and with the Koreans at the last World Cup.

"I am not coming to Australia as the assistant of Advocaat," the 51-year-old told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"I have worked with him in Germany and Korea and I think he is a fantastic coach and a good friend but last year I decided to go my own way again.

"I was very interested in becoming the national team coach of Australia but I think Advocaat is a perfect choice.

"After being the coach of Korea for a year, I think that being assistant coach again is not a very logical step in my career.

"I already have two interesting offers but I don't know yet if they are interesting enough."