Guus Hiddink has been confirmed as the new coach of the Australia national team.
Hiddink will remain in charge of PSV Eindhoven and the Dutchman will simultaneously steer the Socceroos in their World Cup qualifying campaign and, if they get there, the 2006 World Cup in Germany.
The Aussies have not qualified for the World Cup since 1974, a tournament also staged in what was then West Germany.
Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy said: "He has had a distinguished career and his record speaks for itself."
"We could not have hoped for a more qualified, internationally-recognised coach to lead us on the road to Germany.
"The Hiddink appointment is the best possible response to our immediate need, which is to give Australia every chance of success in the World Cup play-offs and, hopefully, in the finals next year."
Hiddink is the only man ever to lead two teams to World Cup semi finals - Holland in 1998 and South Korea in 2002.
