SACKED Serbian 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying coach Slavoljub Muslin has become a Socceroos coaching candidate with an incredible twist involving Ange Postecoglou.

It’s understood Muslin is in Australia.

He has been contacted by Football Federation Australia with regards to leading the Socceroos to next year’s FIFA World Cup.

After German legend Jurgen Klinsmann last week asked a close friend to make an inquiry about leading Australia to the Russian tournament via a former Socceroo, Muslin has emerged as a potential new Australia boss.

media_camera Former Serbia coach Slavoljub Muslin could be in the Socceroos running.

In a touch of irony, the 64-year-old Serbian recently dropped out of the race to lead Yokohama F Marinos - the club where Postecoglou is now the chief candidate, according to Japanese sources.

Muslin was the club’s No.1 initial frontrunner.

Muslin was fired from the Serbian job despite leading the nation to its second World Cup appearance since 2006 after it became an independent nation.

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Muslin managed Serbia for 15 games from June 2016 after having jobs with clubs such as Standard Liege, Dinamo Minsk and Red Star Belgrade.

But Postecoglou still has stern competition for the club job since the J-League giant searched globally for a mentor to replace Erick Mombaerts next year.

The 62-year-old Frenchman took charge of his final J-League game last Saturday winning 1-0 away to Urawa Red Diamonds after three seasons in charge.

An unnamed Portuguese coach is also in the running to win the Yokohama job.

It’s understood Yokohama have been headhunting a manager since October when officials made a decision not to renew Mombaerts’ contract.

The club had made a short list of 30 candidates before coming to the conclusion that Postecoglou was one of the best three standing.

It’s believed club officials made initial contact with Postecoglou via an internet video program.

The Yokohama gig is worth close to $1 million a season with club chiefs claiming they want to finalise a deal before the end of the year.

FFA has been contacted for comment.