Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic remains a firm possibility to become the next Socceroos coach after he revealed the Football Federation of Australia had approached the Wanderers regarding his services.

The Wanderers coach has not been directly contacted by the FFA, and no formal offer has been submitted to him on behalf of the governing body. But it is understood that the FFA informed the club that their inaugural coach is one of the three local coaches on the shortlist for the Socceroos top job, along with Ange Postecoglou of Melbourne Victory and Central Coast Mariners’ Graham Arnold.

Tony Popovic is in the running for the vacant role. Credit:Getty Images

Western Sydney is owned by the FFA, which regards Popovic as a potential Socceroos coach due to his impressive work in starting up the club and guiding them to domestic success in a short period of time.

‘‘We as a club have just been informed that I am in contention; that’s all we’ve had, which is obviously a great honour to be seen in that way,’’ Popovic said. ‘‘I’ve always maintained that one day I would certainly love to coach the Socceroos if given that opportunity, and as a player when I started out my dream was to play for the Socceroos. I was lucky enough to do that, and if that opportunity [to become Socceroos coach] comes, when the time is right, then I’d certainly look into it.’’