Dick decision in a fortnight

Dick Advocaat has revealed that fear of a backlash from Russian fans has stopped him publicly confirming his intention to jilt Zenit St Petersburg for the Socceroos.

Zenit, who have offered Advocaat $4.3million after tax to stay on should they win the Russian title, trail Spartak Moscow on goal difference with just four games remaining in the championship race.

And the former Netherlands and Korea Republic coach is keen not to give ammunition to those already put out by his impending departure.

''If it were stated that I was leaving - and I am not saying that I am - then I would be the figure of blame were we to then start losing matches,'' he said.

''We are in the middle of trying to win the title and qualify for the European Champions League and that's what I must focus on without outside distractions.''

In the same breath, Advocaat offered his current employers a slither of hope by adding: ''A lot still will hinge on whether we win the league or not.''

But the game of subterfuge is almost over, with Advocaat declaring: ''I will tell everybody where my future lies in two weeks time - the board of Zenit do not yet know what I will do, but I know in my own mind what I will do, and soon I will share it with them.''

Zenit conclude their domestic season against the Moscow satellite team of Saturn on November 12 – by which time they will already have embarked on a campaign to navigate the group stages of the UEFA Cup where they are up against the awesome foursome of AZ Alkmaar, Larissa, Everton and Nurnberg.

It's a campaign that is likely to see Advocaat at the reins for only one game - the November 8 clash against a Larissa side, which knocked out Brett Emerton's Blackburn Rovers 3-2 on aggregate.

They then have ties with Nurnberg (November 29) and Everton (December 5), though by then it's probable a new coach could be in charge, leaving Advocaat free to join the Socceroos for the friendly with Nigeria in London on November 17, as an observer at the very least.

Though Zenit's offer dwarfs Football Federation Australia's budget-conscious $2.5million, it hasn't stopped Advocaat from seeking a more contemplative existence away from the

day-to-day hassles and headaches of club management.

Advocaat is back in the Netherlands with his family during the international break, as he puts it, 'just thinking things through'.

According to former Duthc and Chelsea keeper Ed de Goey, Advocaat is the perfect man to lead the Socceroos to the 2010 World Cup.

De Goey, currently helping Mark Bosnich relaunch his career in his role as Queens Park Rangers' goalkeeping coach, said: ''I played under him with Holland at the 1994 World Cup where we reached the quarter finals, he then took Holland to the semis of Euro 2004. He brings out the best in players - and is tough but fair in his approach.’’

''The hardest thing for him is that he has big shoes to fill in taking over from Guus Hiddink. Suddenly, everybody expects Australia to be successful now and that puts him under a little more pressure.’’

''But he can take that in his stride. He's also a winner - and he'll just do things in a a different way to Guus.''

De Goey believes Advocaat is right to have stated that whoever coaches Australia should spend the bulk of his time in Europe.

''That's probably wise because Australia's most gifted players are based over here - but at the same time he should be prepared to fly to Australia regularly to check out the A-League players,'' he added.

''He needs somebody on the ground there to keep an eye on things and advise him, someone like Graham Arnold who knows the players and can take care of the shop for him.''

With his own position at QPR far from certain following the sacking of John Gregory and a successor not yet appointed, De Goey added, only half joking, ''Perhaps Dick will need a goalkeeping coach. It would be something special to be involved with Australia.''

Tony Franken, the current incumbent, might not see it that way.

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