​The lure of the City Football Group may have attracted former Socceroos' coach Ange Postecoglou who is close to joining the influential global football network by becoming head coach of their Japanese-owned club, Yokohama F Marinos.

Fairfax Media understands Postecoglou is the frontrunner to take charge of the J-League club next season after they announced they will not continue with coach Erick Mombaerts next year. After three seasons in charge, the 62-year-old Frenchman will take charge of his final J-League game on Saturday away to Urawa Red Diamonds and already discussions have taken place for him to be replaced by Postecoglou.

Moving on: Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. Credit:AAP

Sources close to Postecoglou suggest "he is certainly in the frame" to take charge of Yokohama at the start of next year and is seriously considering their offer. Should he accept a deal to move to Japan, a deal could be concluded as early as next week.

The Marinos are partially owned by CFG, the majority owners of Melbourne City and Manchester City and through the company's network they have monitored the progress of Postecoglou closely over a number of years. It's understood the group made an approach to Postecoglou in recent weeks after he stepped-down from his position as Socceroos coach, two weeks after Mombaerts announced he would not continue with Yokohama.