World Cup winner Osvaldo Ardiles wants to coach the Socceroos.

Ardiles, who won the World Cup as a player with Argentina in 1978, described coaching Australia as a wonderful job and vowed to provide a breath of fresh air if selected.

"I'm very interested [in Australia]," Ardiles told AAP in Johannesburg, where he is working for South African television as a pundit.

"I've always wanted to manage a national team.

I've been to Australia three or four times and I love it. So if it happens I would be delighted.

"Australia need fresh air, something different."

Current coach Pim Verbeek finishes his contract after the tournament and will take up a position coaching Morocco's youth teams.

Ardiles, a legend as a player with Argentina and Tottenham Hotspur during the 1980s, outlined his football philosophy and said that, even off the field, the sport was show business.

His views contrast sharply with Verbeek's conservative style, that has sometimes gained results but won the ire of many fans.

"I believe in trying to attack all the time, not waiting to see what the opposition does," Ardiles said.

"It's much more important what we do and let them worry.

"I believe very strongly in possession football. I believe 100 per cent in technique.

"It's very important to entertain fans. Basically, were in show business.

"Imagine if everyone plays dull football, the game would not be where it is now. Football is the beautiful game because of people like Pele, Maradona, Messi, and Zidane.

An FA Cup winner with Tottenham in 1981, Ardiles, now 57, has had a colourful coaching career.

He won praise for revolutionising English club Swindon Town's style and performance in the late 80s.

During the 1990s, he returned to Tottenham as a coach, famously often-employing a five-man attacking formation.

Ardiles has also coached clubs in Mexico, Argentina, Israel, and Japan.

He said he would base himself full-time in Australia if he was offered the job.

"If you play well you are going to win," Ardiles said.

"Sometimes playing dull and boring you can in, but not enough."

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