Pim Verbeek has ended months of speculation and has announced he will step down as Socceroos coach at the end of the 2010 World Cup.
Verbeek, who has been in charge of the Socceroos since the start of 2008, has decided to step back into club coaching and said it was a tough decision to make.
"It has been a very difficult decision for me after more than two years but it is time for me to look for a new challenge," Verbeek said. "I have enjoyed every minute of being head coach of Australia and we achieved some fantastic results including qualifying for the World Cup and the Asian Cup."
"It is a good time to make this announcement so we can now focus completely on preparing everything perfectly for the upcoming World Cup in South Africa."
"We will do everything right to prepare for this tournament to get the best result possible."
Verbeek has overseen one of the busiest periods for an Australian national coach and has been in charge for 27 matches, winning 15, drawing eight and losing four.
He successfully guided Australia through both stages of World Cup qualifying as well as through to the Asian Cup finals, an achievement unmatched in Australian football history.
Verbeek has given senior international debuts to 33 players and guided Australia to as high as 14th in the FIFA world rankings.
FFA Chairman, Frank Lowy AC, congratulated Verbeek on his achievements.
"Pim has been a great coach for the Qantas Socceroos and has earned the respect of everybody in football in this country and around the world," Lowy said.
"He has been the consummate professional in every aspect of his role and has led our national team with distinction here and overseas."
"Under his leadership the team has achieved everything we aimed to achieve and I expect he will have the team ready to perform at its best in South Africa."