Sources in China, where the globe-trotting 71-year-old Swede was last spotted, have confirmed his interest in succeeding Kevin Muscat, who ended his 14-year association with Victory after last month’s 6-1 A-League semi-final loss to Sydney FC.

It’s understood he was also offered to Wellington Phoenix and Adelaide United but neither could match his wage expectations.

Eriksson, who took England to two FIFA World Cup quarter-finals, has been unemployed since his last assignment with the Philippines at January’s AFC Asian Cup.

They failed to progress from the group stage - losing all three games.

He immediately sought to parachute into the Roar hot-seat following the exit of John Aloisi but lost out to Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler.

Having also managed Ivory Coast and Mexico, Eriksson was linked with the Socceroos job after Ange Postecoglou’s resignation in 2017.

He has knowledge of Victory, having coached against them while in charge of Shanghai SIPG back in 2016.

It’s understood that contrary to reports bracketing them with Aloisi, Victory intend to appoint a foreign coach.

But the chosen one is more likely to be a hungry up-and-comer than an Eriksson-type figure, whose golden clipboard years appear firmly behind him.

His scroll of clubs includes Benfica, Roma, Fiorentina, Sampdoria, Lazio, Manchester City and Leicester City. He was also football director at Notts Country.

In China alone he was in charge of SIPG, Shenzhen and Guangzhou R&F.

Eriksson was mentioned as candidate for the Scotland national team job in April but denied ever applying.

Despite his miles on the clock, Eriksson appears ill inclined to depart the stage in the immediate future.

"I don't need to work if I don't want to do it, for money," he told the BBC earlier this year.

"But I need for my head to work ... going pension, doing nothing with has nothing to do with football, I don't like that kind of life.

"I would get nervous, restless, and that's really bad because one day it will finish but I will hate that time, really.

Football is part of my life and has became a huge drug in my life. I'm addicted."

Both his Australian-based representative and Melbourne Victory were approached for comment.