World soccer legend Gabriel Batistuta has thrown his hat in the Socceroos coaching ring.

Batistuta has been living in virtual anonymity in Perth for almost two years but has recently indicated to several sources that he would be prepared to accept the Australian job - if offered it.

And former Socceroos winger Stan Lazaridis said Football Federation Australia would be crazy not to consider the Argentine great.

The 38-year-old Batistuta has completed his coaching badges in Argentina.

 
"If you are after a big name, well Gabriel Batistuta is sitting on our doorstep," Lazaridis said.

"We missed out on Dick Advocaat and there are huge problems because the guys we are chasing want a fortune and are not prepared to relocate to Australia - this guy is semi-retired in Perth and he ticks a lot of boxes.

"I'm not saying it's the first option but it's one that certainly should be considered for all the plus factors.

 
"I'm sure he has seen every single A-League player, he has played against a lot of the current Socceroos and he saw Guus Hiddink's squad at the World Cup. He should be put to the FFA board and through the judging process."

While Batistuta has not coached, there is a groundswell of support from within the Australian soccer community for a rookie appointment.

This comes in the wake of recent success stories such as Juergen Klinsmann (Germany), Dunga (Brazil) and Slaven Bilic (Croatia).

Batistuta's illustrious 17-year career ended in 2005 - he is Argentina's most prolific scorer and has recently been linked with its national team job.

His name has been forwarded to FFA heavyweights but their reaction is believed to have been somewhat coy.

Perth Glory have tried to get Batistuta involved but he has declined all overtures.

Lazaridis said the Socceroos job probably appealed more to Batistuta.

"It is very attractive, especially for someone who has been watching the sun set every night on the golf course," he said.

"He lives a simple life, but you can't take the football out of a person and he's now thinking, 'I want to be a coach'.

"He would be a major drawcard, he would be great for sponsors and for the fans.

"There will always be a question mark over his coaching experience, (but) how does one get experience?"

His former Argentine strike partner Abel Balbo recently said FFA had made a "big mistake" not having Batistuta involved.

 Meanwhile, Bora Milutinovic has emerged as a potential candidate after his tenure with Jamaica ended last week.

Milutinovic, who has coached at five World Cups, is due to attend the World Cup draw in Durban tomorrow morning and will no doubt cross paths with FFA officials.

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