Postecoglou is currently in Kyrgyzstan, where the Socceroos will begin their 2018 World Cup qualifying campaign on Tuesday night. The Socceroos next World Cup qualifier is against Bangladesh in Australia on September 3. Expertise: Ange Postecoglou has a wealth of coaching experience. Credit:Getty Images Carlton chief executive Stephen Trigg the club considered the Australian team's playing, training and camp schedules and discussed those with Postecoglou and remained confident he had time between international commitments to join the coach search. "We certainly analysed that and his availability through July and August is sufficient for us," Trigg said. While a soccer person, Postecoglou has been a keen, long-term AFL follower and Carlton fan. His son was doing a work experience stint at the Blues around the time of Malthouse's sacking.

Trigg admitted the club wanted to make an appointment before September when the finals began to complicate the picture for potential candidates at other clubs. It was also preferable for a coach to be appointed before the trade period and to be involved in list management decisions. The Blues announced the panel on Tuesday. It will be chaired by chief executive Steven Trigg and will include former Blues player and St Kilda coach Ken Sheldon and recruitment executive David Campbell of Egon Zehnder Trigg said the club had intended to ask dual Brownlow Medallist and former captain Judd to join the coaching selection panel prior to his retirement last week after a season-ending knee injury. "We would have almost certainly sought to use Chris on the panel even if he was still playing. I know that would have created some complexity," Trigg said. "We were keen to get a combination of older grey haired types in respect of Kenny and a younger type with an understanding of Gen Y and the younger players and modern game in respect of Chris."

Melburnian Postecoglou won two titles as coach of Brisbane Roar in the A-League and was briefly Melbourne Victory coach before accepting the job as head coach of the Socceroos in October 2013, a stint most notable for winning the Asian Cup earlier this year. The announcement of the selection panel comes three weeks after Mick Malthouse was sacked as coach and John Barker appointed caretaker coach for the rest of the season. Sheldon was part of the selection panel at St Kilda which chose Ross Lyon, then a little-known assistant coach, in late 2006. Lyon took the Saints to two grand finals, and has reached another with Fremantle, who currently sit atop the ladder. Trigg said Carlton, a club which has traditionally headhunted coaches, would conduct "an exhaustive and thorough process" to determine Malthouse's successor. "We have assembled a group who will be genuinely experienced, informative and helpful in that search [and final assessment]," the chief executive said in an open letter to Blues supporters.

"The . . . group is outstanding. We have captured a blend of perspectives from experienced coaches to a younger perspective fresh from the game. The panel has an 'in football' emphasis, with an 'out of football' perspective – and the expertise we need to make deep, clear assessments of all candidates. "In terms of the 'search', head of football Andrew McKay will also work closely with the CEO and the panel to ensure we cover every angle. "In terms of timelines, we're not declaring any particular 'target date', preferring to take the approach that 'It'll take as long as it takes' to get the right person."