SYDNEY (AFP) -- Australia's search for a successor to Guus Hiddink has drawn wide interest from top coaches, according to Football Federation Australia chief Ben Buckley who has just returned from Europe.

The Socceroos have been without a permanent coach since July last year, with Hiddink's former assistant Graham Arnold filling in as they build up to the Asian Cup finals in July.

Buckley said several top names have expressed an interest in the job.

"I've just been to Europe in the past month or so, and I've spoken to a lot of prospective coaches," he said.

"The thing that's coming across in these conversations is that we've created a lot of interest through the success we had at the World Cup.

"We're now starting to come onto the radar for some of the great coaches around the world that would like to go to the next World Cup, coaching Australia.

"There are now a number of coaches who now want to coach the team because (the players) are seen to be well-developed, have a great attitude, high fitness levels and are just a great team to coach," he said.

Last month, Australian reports said former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, now coach of Lyon, had emerged as the prime candidate.

Whatever happens, Buckley said the short-term goal was success in Asia.