The former Japan national team coach's name has been passed onto the FFA at the eleventh hour by representatives of the Brazilian legend.

Former Brazilian national team media manager and journalist Ricardo Setyon says Zico would like a return to national team coaching.

“I have spoken to him and he is extremely interested in coaching a national team again,” Seyton tells au.fourfourtwo.com.

Zico is currently coaching Turkish Super League and UEFA Champions League side Fenerbahce, where he won the 2007 Superlig and Turkish Super Cup. Zico's contract with the Turks expires next June.

At international level, he coached Japan to a World Cup finals spot in 2006 and won the Asian Cup in 2004 with the Blue Samurai. Prior to that, he was in charge of Kashima Antlers.

Setyon, currently in Australia, says Zico – often referred to as the “White Pele” in his playing days – has the all-important Asian experience as well as Brazilian know-how without the hefty price tag of a Euro-born coach.

“It's a very important decision – one that will affect your game for many years,” he says of the FFA's difficult task in finding a Socceroo coach.

“Zico would bring something special to the team – his name alone is worth it just for the contacts he brings and knowledge of football in Asia and around the world.

“He would bring his brother Edu with him. He is a lot older than Zico and is very experienced, leaving Zico to look after the overall picture. So you get them both."

Edu, 60, is currently assistant to Zico at the Turkish Superlig club.

“Zico has been to Australia many times when he coached Kashima Antlers," added Setyon.

"He has excellent experience of Asian football yet with his name and reputation, he is someone who the big name European players would respect as would your A-League players."

So, does Zico tick the boxes? As a “name” coach he does. As someone who has played the game, he commands huge respect too.

His Asian experience is significant – particularly in Japan where he played and coached at club level before taking over as national team supremo.

Having coach the Blue Samurai all across Asia gives him insights we still don't have.

And financially, he is not in the same league as a Capello or a Mourinho (or an Advocaat for that matter).

And he is a coach with something to prove. Nine years into his coaching career, the 54-year-old has experience but is not too old.

And with Edu, he brings an astute back up alongside Arnold and Baan.