SYDNEY - Germany's World Cup coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been sounded out by Australia to lead their 2010 World Cup campaign, according to reports.

Klinsmann, who led host nation Germany to third place at last year's World Cup, met Peter Lowy, son of Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy, for lunch in Los Angeles last Tuesday, the Sun-Herald newspaper said.

Germany's World Cup coach Jurgen Klinsmann has been sounded out by Australia to lead their 2010 World Cup campaign, according to reports. [AFP]

The newspaper quoted one observer who said of the meeting: "Real estate was one subject they discussed but coaching opportunities with Australia were tossed around.

"The meeting was definitely business and not at all a social call."

FFA officials Sunday declined to confirm that the meeting had taken place and Klinsmann could not be immediately contacted for comment.

But the former German striker is known to favour coaching international football over taking on the day-to-day grind of club duties.

"I'm preparing myself for something new that might come along," Klinsmann said last week. "It could happen in a month or two, or a year or two.

"You have to be open to a lot of things. There is not an endlessly long list of job options at this level. The air is pretty thin up there.

"And if it's the right fit with the family and the right challenge, you go to the country where you might have once never thought you'd go."

Peter Lowy runs the US arm of his family's Westfield property group, and according to the Sun-Herald, he is known to unofficially conduct FFA business when he can.

Klinsmann has lived in California with his wife and children since he retired from playing in 1998.

He was in discussions with the US Soccer Federation last year about coaching its national team but ended talks in December when it became clear he wouldn't have control of team matters.

Frank Lowy has told coach Graham Arnold he will be in charge of the Socceroos until after the Asian Cup in July, but his future beyond that tournament is unclear even if Australia win the competition.

The FFA wants a full-time replacement for Dutchman Guus Hiddink to take charge of the team before the 2010 World Cup qualifiers kick off next year.

Klinsmann won massive public support in Germany after selecting a young squad that played attractive football at the World Cup.

The Sun-Herald said under any deal with Australia, Klinsmann would continue to live in the United States.

A Hiddink return to Australia is possible, but reports continue to link him to European clubs when his contract with Russia expires after the 2008 European Championships.

Dutchman Leo Beenhakker, now coaching Poland after leading Trinidad and Tobago at last year's World Cup, is another FFA coaching option, the newspaper said.