As FIFA delegates prepare to arrive in Australia to inspect the country's bid credentials for the tournament in 12 years' time, Neill revealed he is keen to make the transition from skipper to boss.

He told the Sun-Herald: ''With the World Cup possibly coming to Australia in 2022, there is a slight timing factor where it might just work out well to go down that path.

''Obviously I need to get my qualifications first, which is something I've been looking at doing for a while. But I'm not looking at writing off my playing career yet, I see myself playing for four more years.

''But certainly when the game is over for me as a player, I want to stay involved. I always say that I want to do things at grassroots level and influence kids, give them the knowledge to go on to bigger and better things. Equally, if it's something I want to look at seriously, there's no bigger dream you can have, to not only play for and captain Australia but then to go on and manage them.

''(I'll need to) go out, get my experience … all over the world as a coach and a manager. Hopefully I can then bring that back to the national team one day. What a dream that would be for any Australian coach or manager - to coach the team on home soil in a World Cup.''

The Socceroos are currently on the lookout for a new coach after Pim Verbeek stepped down following this summer's World Cup in South Africa.

There have been calls for the FFA to hand the reins over to an Australian with the Dutchman's tenure now over, although Neill believes the upcoming Asian Cup campaign may come too soon for that to happen.

''It's maybe just one campaign too early for an Australian manager, but I think the message is clear now that Australian players are plying their trade all over the world now and creating good careers for themselves,'' Neill said. ''It's time now for Australian coaches and managers to have a bigger goal than just wanting to be coaches or managers in Australia.

''They need to step up now. We want to be a purely bred Australian team. From the medical, to the backroom staff, to the coaches and the players - we want it all to be Australian born and Australian bred.

''There is a responsibility now for the experienced players to go on to be coaches to get that experience, not just in Australia, but Europe and South America. To come back and become a manager for Australia.

''That time is too soon. For me personally, my prediction is that Aurelio Vidmar will do well. He's not so obvious, but Tony Popovic fits the bill so well and I hope he's the next one who comes through.''

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