Terry Venables may be enlisted to lead Australia to the 2000 Olympic Games. Soccer Australia's chairman, David Hill, hopes to put a proposal to Venables to stay as national coach to the 2002 World Cup.

"We'd be crazy if we couldn't find a way to keep him," Hill said. "After the impact of Venables in the World and Confederation Cups, we'll be close to the top 25 in the world in the next Fifa ratings and the envy of many others."

"I have to think of my future," Venables said in reply. "The Olympics would be very interesting, especially being in Australia, but I can't make any comment until the proposal has been presented."