Dick in line for top job

Dick Advocaat could be unveiled as Australia's new national team coach as early as Monday, after agreeing to reveal his football destiny to his Russian employers Zenit St Petersburg.

EXCLUSIVE: During The World Game program on Sunday 7 October, we talk one-on-one with Advocaat about his future.

Advocaat has yielded to an ultimatum from the league leaders, who want time to head-hunt a replacement should, as expected, the Dutchmen confirm he has consumated his long-distance dalliance with the FFA.

"Dick Advocaat has promised to tell us straight after the weekend whether he's staying or going," Zenit's Director of Football Konstantin Sarsania said.

"He's going to talk to his family about the Australian offer over the next few days and he says he will be guided by what they say."

"The wait is almost over and that is best for everybody concerned."

Once Advocaat, 59, has informed Zenit that he's off at November's conclusion to the season, Football Federation Australia (FFA) will be finally able to publicly confirm the worst kept secret in Australian football.

He's expected to commence his tenure in January but spend as little as six months in Australia over the life of his two-and-half-year contract.

The reason why he'll spend most of his time in Europe? As Advocaat put it two weeks ago, because 'that's where the best Australian players are'.

Wednesday he was giving nothing away, saying only: "I think it's best for all parties involved that I don't comment publicly on what has already been said."

''I'm very happy that we're top of the league and the team have been playing well. As for my future, I am not prepared to discuss it until next month.''

Zenit are three points clear of Spartak Moscow atop the Russian League table with six games remaining and are on course for a first ever title.

In an act of blind faith, the club are clinging to the hope that automatic qualification for next season's UEFA Champions League might convince Advocaat to extend his stay for another year.

Last week a club official contended there was a get-out clause in his contract with the FFA should that scenario unfold.

He will earn $7.5million - plus bonuses - should Australia qualify for South Africa 2010.

That's $1.5million a year less than Zenit are offering but it seems endless frustrations in communicating with his exclusively Russian -speaking squad and the lure of a comparative sinecure as a national team coach has won the day.

''He hasn't indicated to us what he will do and I have no idea what his decision will be,'' insisted Sarsania.

''But he understands we need to know where we stands and what he plans to do. Whatever he does, there is no ill feeling."

"He's done a great job for us and winning the championship would mean he could make history here.''

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