Friday night in Paris was billed as Holger Osieck's D-Day. Having promised his side would bring a renewed passion for the cause, the exact opposite would expedite his downfall. Australia was slaughtered so comprehensively by France that the 6-0 scoreline perhaps flattered the visitors. If the loss the month before to Brazil by an identical margin was hideous, this was cataclysmic. It wasn't so surprising Osieck was sacked; more shocking was how the players would produce such a pitiful display with the manager's job on the line, eight months out from the World Cup. Barely had David Gallop issued the dismissal than new candidates were being discussed but Fairfax Media understands between three and four foreign candidates were contacted after the Brazil match, including ex-Australian coach Guus Hiddink. Frenchman Gerard Houllier is also in the discussion frame. With the sacking complete, the FFA will seek further talks with the three local coaches in contention: Central Coast's Graham Arnold, Melbourne Victory's Ange Postecoglou and Western Sydney's Tony Popovic. All three have an ambition to coach the Socceroos; Arnold was the first to make his desire public. Though it was only a pair of friendlies that hurt the German so badly, so demoralising were the displays that the FFA was left with no choice. Gallop was given the order to sack Osieck when they arrived at the team hotel. Frank Lowy, having hand-picked Osieck on the express recommendation of the great Franz Beckenbauer - Der Kaiser had Osieck as his assistant for the 1990 World Cup - did not mince words. "The decision is based on the longer-term issues of the rejuvenation of the Socceroos team and the preparations for the World Cup and the Asian Cup," the FFA chairman said. Ex-Socceroos were among the most vocal critics in the aftermath of the humiliating defeat. Robbie Slater said the team was in the "worst position we've ever been in" while Francis Awaritefe declared that France "could have reached double figures." Craig Moore and Craig Foster expressed their "sadness" that the Socceroos had been reduced to such a shambolic display. After revealing that assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar would take charge of the match with Canada - to be played on Wednesday morning, Sydney time - Gallop announced a World Cup planning review would take place. "I have given our new head of national performance, Luke Casserly, and the national technical director, Han Berger, the task of conducting a review of our World Cup planning," Gallop said. Gallop said the decision to axe Osieck was made to give the Socceroos the best chance of tournament success. "The World Cup kicks off in eight months and the Asian Cup is 15 months away," he said. We are determined to make the most of the historical opportunities that these tournaments present. The players didn't escape the wrath either, with under-fire skipper Lucas Neill in the sights of former Australian goalkeeper Mark Bosnich. A major clear-out of the support staff around the Socceroos squad was expected to occur after the World Cup but the FFA may hasten the removal of those seen as too embedded with Osieck's regime. Arnold further outlined his case after the Mariners" 1-1 draw with Western Sydney, saying he had gained huge experience from his time as an international assistant coach. I think I can openly say that I've had 10 years with the national team, two World Cups and around 300 games on the bench at national team level. I've obviously learned a lot," he said. I do believe Australian coaches are now ready. Probably, criticism a few years ago was right ... but [Australian] coaching, across the board, is now so much better. Popovic was much cagier about his prospects of succeeding Osieck. Let's not even go there with that. Today is about our the Wanderers, and all I've done is focus on our game," he said. I'm more than happy to speak about that game, but to be talking about the Socceroos [job], that hasn't even crossed my mind. However, Popovic did admit that, like many other ex-Socceroos, the current situation was depressing. "You do see the last two results, and as a former Socceroo, you want your national team to do well," he said. I've been a part of it, I've been privileged to play for my country over 50 times and you cherish those moments. We're going through a tough time at the moment but I've got faith that we'll get it right. Total votes: 6556.