Lyon manager Gérard Houllier has emerged as a prime target to succeed Guus Hiddink as the new head coach of the Socceroos by the Football Federation Australia (FFA).

Australia are searching for a new, high profile head coach to replace Dutchman Hiddink, who is stepping down from the position after this summer's World Cup Finals in order to coach Russia.

Hiddink has already agreed a contract with Russia and he will leave once Australia's involvement in the World Cup in Germany ends.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy is now drawing up a short list of possible candidates and recent reports from Australia claim Houllier is top of his wanted list.

Houllier, who has guided Lyon to their fifth successive championship success in the Championnat, is still unsure of his future at the French side.

The former Liverpool manager has just one year to run on his current contract at Lyon and it is still unknown if he will be offered anything more long-term from Lyon.

Lowy, who is a friend of Houllier's, is keen to bring in a foreign manager to continue the good work of Hiddink and is hoping to make an announcement after the World Cup.

“You know what I think. We are looking for an internationally renowned coach,” Lowy told the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We are making tentative inquiries, and some inquiries have been made of us. I expect at the completion of the World Cup competition we will make an announcement. I would hope so.

“We can't have a coach who doesn't come to Australia, because there's a lot more to the game than just coming here for the competitive matches. He must impart his knowledge, and experience.”

Lowy also played down the chances of current assistant coaches Graham Arnold and Johan Neeskens taking over from Hiddink.

“They are a good combination - Graham Arnold has been with the team for a long time, and Neeskens is a well-qualified coach with considerable experience,” added Lowy.

“But we are looking for somebody with international experience to take the Socceroos to a much higher level than they are now.”

Houllier has plenty of international experience. In 1988 Houllier was appointed technical director and assistant to the French national team, under head coach Michel Platini.

He became Les Bleus' coach in 1992, though resigning in 1993 after the team failed to qualify for the 1994 World Cup; however, he remained as technical director.

When France won the World Cup in 1998, Houllier's contribution to the building of the team was recognised when he was awarded the Legion d'Honneur for his services to French football.

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