RINI Coolen was yesterday linked with winning the five-star national soccer development role.

But the possibility of hiring the former Adelaide United coach appears slim as ex-Reds assistant boss Phil Stubbins firmed for the gig.

Football Federation Australia declined to comment last night but the AIS deputy director of sport performance, Mike McGovern, declared an announcement would be made soon.

"We've got a partnership recruitment process between the AIS and FFA (Football Federation Australia). We'll hopefully have a preferred candidate in the not-too-distant future."

Stubbins is in the box seat to claim the Canberra-based post as chief of the Joeys - Australia's under 17s - and the Australian Institute of Sport's scholarship team after he impressed FFA officials before former AIS/Joeys chief Jan Versleijen vacated the post last year.

The Dutchman was head coach of the Joeys, AIS and Young Socceroos before deciding not to re-apply after the FFA split the roles.

The FFA is now calling for one head coach for both the AIS and Joeys gigs while another person will be employed to take charge of the Young Socceroos (under 20s).

Former Adelaide and current Olyroos coach Aurelio Vidmar has been touted as a possible Young Socceroos boss once he completes his Olympic Games duties.

Coolen was replaced by John Kosmina as Reds coach on December 18.

Coolen's lawyers then told the club that he "would no longer provide his services to Adelaide" on December 20 after he was given the Reds youth team job.

The dispute is now before the FFA's grievance procedure hearing at the end of January.