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Sven-Goran Eriksson has been unattached since being fired by Chinese club Shenzhen. Michael Dodge

'Of course I'm interested' - Sven throws hat into the ring for Australia job ahead of World Cup

The experienced Swedish coach is open to guiding the green-and-gold in Russia.

FORMER ENGLAND Sven-Goran Eriksson believes he could be the man to take Australia to the World Cup, declaring the role a โ€œbig jobโ€ that he would be interested in.

There has been no shortage of candidates to fill the position since Ange Postecoglouโ€™s departure following qualification, with ex-German and US coach Jurgen Klinsmann and recently sacked Serbia manager Slavoljub Muslin being linked to the post in the past few days.

Eriksson, who has been unattached since being fired by Chinese club Shenzhen in June, is the latest to put his hand up, saying coaching at the World Cup is the โ€œgreatest thing you can doโ€.

He also revealed he has taken an interest in the Socceroos performances and admitted he was shocked that Postecoglou resigned after booking the green-and-gold a spot in Russia.

โ€œYes of course Iโ€™m interested. Itโ€™s a big job, a big football country, youโ€™re playing in the World Cup - again. You more or less always play in the World Cup,โ€™โ€™ Eriksson told the Herald Sun.

โ€œI have watched some Australian games and I watched the games against Honduras, the last games.

โ€œIt was a surprise that (Postecoglou) resigned, I was surprised because he (qualified) them to the World Cup. But thatโ€™s life.

โ€œThe World Cup is the biggest party in football and itโ€™s a party for the world, itโ€™s incredible. It goes for a month and there is a huge amount of interest.

โ€œItโ€™s the greatest thing you can do and itโ€™s beautiful.โ€

If Eriksson takes the Australian reins, it will be his fourth appearance at the World Cup finals โ€“ having coached England to quarter-final appearances in 2002 and 2006 before failing to qualify with Ivory Coast in 2010.

The 69-year-old said that while France were likely to progress to knockouts as top of group C, there was no reason why Australia couldnโ€™t qualify for the round-of-16 ahead of Peru and Denmark.

โ€œFrance are big favourites in the group, but I think it will be a fight for second place between Australia, Peru and Denmark. I think the chances for Australia (to advance) are good.

โ€œThe whole world would say France is favourite to win that group, but second I think itโ€™s very tight. Any team there can beat anyone, itโ€™s very open. Why not Australia?โ€

Football Federation Australia has stated they will appoint a national team coach by mid-February next year โ€“ one month before the Socceroos next match during the March international window.

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the yearโ€™s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Easonโ€™s, or order it here today (โ‚ฌ10):

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    Mute Stipe Miocic
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:07 PM

    The fight reminded me of the Simpsons episode when Homer fought hobo Boxcar Bob in Moeโ€™s Bar

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    Mute Andrew Tuite
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:37 PM

    @Stipe Miocic: boxcar willy.

    โ€˜You couldnโ€™t give me one measly round moeโ€™

    Lucius sweet

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    Mute Stephen Duggan
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    Jun 10th 2018, 3:16 PM

    Absolutely pointless fight, he gained nothing from it.

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    Mute Alana
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:18 PM

    @Stephen Duggan: id say his bank account gained a couple of Gs

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    Mute Crpytoalchol
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:13 PM

    Good to see him back. He was always going to win, needs a few more fights under his belt to get back into the groove. Great entrance as well!

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    Mute Brocky Jennings
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    Jun 10th 2018, 3:36 PM

    A total farce and Wilder or Joshua will destroy him

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    Mute EnKy
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:04 PM

    @Brocky Jennings: Ya think? Give him a couple of higher Calibre opponents and get him back to previous levels and I think he beats both.

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    Mute Ronan McDermott
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    Jun 10th 2018, 10:19 PM

    @EnKy: well said . HD can beat anyone as long as heโ€™s on his game . He def beats wilder in my eyes but not 100% sure about Joshua . Anyone who says he canโ€™t beat either know little

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    Mute Ruairi Doyle
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    Jun 10th 2018, 4:08 PM

    Of course he couldโ€™ve

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    Mute Gary
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    Jun 10th 2018, 5:29 PM

    Nice classy โ€œfansโ€.

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    Mute Brocky Jennings
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    Jun 10th 2018, 5:19 PM

    Not in this or any other lifetime

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