The Covert Agent: FFA make contact with Slaven Bilic about Socceroos coach role

EXCLUSIVE: Goal's resident spy reveals the governing body have spoken to the former West Ham coach about taking the green and gold to Russia

The FFA have stepped up their hunt for a new Socceroos coach with several high-profile coaches including former West Ham coach Slaven Bilic being contacted about the role.

The Covert Agent can reveal chief executive David Gallop has had several conversations with Bilic's agent while on a recent trip to scout candidates in Europe.

Bilic was sacked by the Hammers in November after taking over in 2015 and would appeal to the FFA because has extensive experience managing his native , which he took to the quarter-finals of the 2008 European Championships.

It is also understood Gallop has met with representatives of sports director Ralf Rangnick and Italian coach Gianni Di Biasi.

The direction of the selection process appears to show a clear preference for an international manager to lead to the World Cup in .

Local coaches Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic have both not yet been spoken to about the job, which the FFA says won't be decided on until mid-February

The Socceroos have been drawn in group C for June's World Cup alongside , and .