Aussies in bid to lure Cats target O'Neill.

Byline: By Stuart Rayner

The chances of Sunderland having their first-choice manager in place soon after Niall Quinn completes his long-awaited takeover of the club have been dealt a major blow by the Australian Football Federation.

Martin O'Neill is the man Quinn would like as the Black Cats' new manager if, as expected, he finally ties up a deal to buy the club this week.

But the Australians have thrown a spanner in the works by making it known they too would like the Irishman to be their next manager, possibly opening the door for another former Old Firm manager, Alex McLeish.

Guus Hiddink is leaving the national job ( possibly as soon as 5.50 this evening if the Socceroos lose their World Cup second round game against Italy ( to take over as manager of Russia next season.

And although some reports yesterday were suggesting former Liverpool boss Gerard Houllier is being lined up to take over in 12 months' time, Australian bosses have admitted they want to hold discussions with former Leicester City and Celtic boss O'Neill.

"He is somebody we plan to talk to in the near future," said chief executive John O'Neill.

"Martin O'Neill is obviously a manager of a high calibre and after a spell out of the game is back on the job market.

"He was one of the managers we looked at before Guus Hiddink accepted the job a year ago and we are keen to meet with him and discuss what he might bring to the job of coaching the Australian national team." Even if O'Neill were not interested in taking the job, it would be a surprise if he did not offer the Australians the courtesy of listening to what they had to offer ( particularly as the Ulsterman has always been careful in the past to think over his options rather than rush into quick decisions.

If O'Neill tries to take his time once again Quinn and his backers must decide whether they can afford to wait for the man who is top of their wanted list. Sunderland's players report back for pre-season training this morning and although Kevin Richardson will take the session there is an urgent need for a full-time figurehead at the club so plans about the pre-season and transfer activity can be formulated.

The new Football League season is only 40 days away and the Black Cats will be anxious to make a good start and arrest the negative momentum with which they ended the previous campaign.

Rumours have resurfaced that Quinn could instead turn to Sir Alex Ferguson's protegi McLeish. The former Scottish centre-back was linked with the job as soon as Mick McCarthy was dismissed in March.

Despite the distances involved, taking the Australia job may suit O'Neill's personal circumstances. Hiddink combined the job with that of PSV Eindhoven coach so there is obvious scope for O'Neill to spend time with his wife Geraldine, who is fighting cancer.

Whoever is appointed at Sunderland their first task could be to end Christian Bassila's unhappy spell on Wearside.

Despite only 14 appearances for struggling Sunderland last term, the 28-year-old former West Ham United player is reportedly interesting Greek clubs Iraklis Salonika and Larissa.

It is a move which would surely be in the interest of both parties.