2. Frank Farina - The former Socceroos coach began his playing career at Canberra City 35 years ago and it could be time for a reunion with the capital. Farina went on to play in five countries and make 67 international appearances, before becoming the first Australian-born coach of the Socceroos. Farina guided Australia to 18 wins - including the scalps of France and Brazil - five draws and eight losses. The 54-year-old was at the helm at Brisbane Roar and Sydney FC but hasn't coached since taking Fiji to the 2016 Rio Olympics. What better place to reignite his career than the place where it all begun?

1. Harry Kewell - The Socceroos legend and former Liverpool striker has endured a tumultuous start to his coaching career. Kewell finished his playing career in 2014 following a two-year stint in the A-League with Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. He made an impressive start to his senior coaching career at Crawley Town in England, before earning the top job at League Two club Notts County. That was until he was sacked last week after just three wins in 14 matches. Still, all rookie coaches must be afforded patience and Kewell has a big enough profile to put plenty of bums on seats in Canberra's inaugural season.

But before you build a squad you need a coach and there's no shortage of high-profile candidates. Here are the five coaches Canberra should go after if they win a licence.

3. Tony Vidmar - There might be nobody better placed to coach Canberra then the man who spent three years running the AIS Centre of Excellence. The former Socceroos defender and respected juniors coach oversaw the Joeys and the best talent in the country before the Canberra program was shut down last year. Vidmar then took up his first senior coaching role as an assistant at Melbourne City and helped the club to their best finish last season - third. Vidmar has plenty of connections, especially with young talent he could lure to the capital. The Canberra team will be based out of the AIS - a place Vidmar knows like the back of his hand.

4. Luke Wilkshire- Another Socceroos great at the start of his coaching career. Wilkshire has just signed his first coaching contract and will lead the Wollongong Wolves next winter - a club the Canberra bid partnered with earlier this month. Wilkshire spent a year at the AIS in 1997 before signing with then English Premier League club Middlesbrough. The 37-year-old played at two World Cups and the 2004 Olympics in an 80-game international career. One of the most experienced players to come out of Australia, Wilkshire played at nine clubs in five countries and would have plenty of ideas to bring to the coaching table.

Luke Wilkshire playing for the Socceroos. Credit:Brendan Esposito

5. Paul Okon - The youth development expert left his post as the Central Coast Mariners boss in March but some time away from the game might be just what the doctor ordered. Okon spent four years coaching the Australian under-20 side and the former Socceroos defender was linked to the Sydney FC job after Graham Arnold left earlier this year. Okon might not be the household name as the aforementioned quartet but he's widely respected in the football community and Canberra could do a lot worse than him signing him.