Vidmar accepted the dual-role of assistant to the new national team boss in the post-Pim Verbeek era after South Africa and head coach of the Olyroos in the lead up to and including the Olympic Games in London 2012.

The 2008-09 A-League Coach of the Year is aware there is still much development needed before he takes the reins head coach of the Socceroos but his attitude towards his latest appointment suggests it is on his to-do list.

"I'll try to go as far as I possibly can, I'll give it a good shake and see where it takes me," he said.

"I'd be mad to say I wouldn't want that job but, as it was when I took this (Adelaide United) job three years ago, I've still got a hell of lot to learn at international level."

"I've been fortunate to have been offered this role to further develop my coaching career and I intend to take it on with the same level of passion and commitment as I have with Adelaide United."

Vidmar applauded the FFA's initiative to throw more Australian coaches in the forefront of elite coaching and the former Reds' boss believes it won't be too long before a home-grown talent is at the helm of the Socceroos.

"With the encouragement and the guidance of the FFA, and the experience I'll get with the new senior coach, I'll be really happy to improve my knowledge and that's what I intend to do," he said.

"Part of their succession plan is trying to get Australian coaches into the system and to hopefully one day hold that position and they want to do that with their medical staff, their coaching staff."

"I think that's what everyone would like. I think the foreigners that have come in, Pim (Verbeek) and Guus (Hiddink) have done a tremendous job."

"But, talking to the FFA, in 10 years time they don't want to be in the same situation as they're in today. So, there's an opportunity for me and also many other Australian coaches. I think in the next half a dozen years you'll see a big shift."

While Vidmar admitted he was surprised to receive the offer he indicated that coaching is where his passion is and he intends to forge a long career as the top man in the dugout.

"I want to be a career coach," he said.

"I want to give it my best possible shot and the possibility arose. It was only a couple of days after our last ACL game that I was contacted. So, it came as a huge surprise to me and I just thought that the opportunity might not come again."

The switch will be a significant career move for Vidmar who has proven to be somewhat of a pioneer in the A-League for Australian coaches.

He took Adelaide United to the height of Asian Football, before bowing down to Gamba Osaka in the ACL Final in 2008, putting the A-League in the spotlight.

United had another chance to shine on the world stage when they competed in the FIFA World Club Cup in Japan in December, 2008.

The Reds went on to meet Melbourne Victory in the A-League Grand Final before losing 1-0 in a match that saw United striker Cristiano shown a red card in the first 10 minutes.

Vidmar credits that 2008-09 season as providing him with his greatest memories but also the most regrets with United failing to win any trophies that season, twice finishing as bridesmaids.

"The Asian Champions League final and the FIFA World Club Cup - that whole period was just tremendous," he said.

"We had to fight against a lot of things, logistically, having to travel continually and more or less punch above or weight but also do it with some style."

"Then, on the home front, being able to stay on top of the ladder or close to it for most of the season - that was certainly one of the greatest moments in the last three years."

"I feel that we certainly put Adelaide on the map in terms of our achievements that we've had in the Asian Champions League."

"That's probably one thing that I have regrets about not being able to win that grand final a couple of years ago, but that's the way it goes."