Pim Verbeek insists that he hasn't made up his mind on his coaching future with the Socceroos after the World Cup, saying negotiations between him and FFA continue.
Verbeek initially said he would sit down with FFA after the recent Asian Cup qualifier against Indonesia and discuss his future as national coach. But while a week has elapsed since that time, Verbeek gave no indication of his intentions to stay or go.
"The only people who know where discussions stand at the moment are the two people here," he said motioning to himself and FFA chief executive Ben Buckley. "We know were things stand, but we won't be telling you (the media) until a decision is final."
It is rumoured that Verbeek wants to return to coach club football after the World Cup, leaving FFA without a successor just six months out from the 2011 Asian Cup in Qatar. But he said that no firm decision has been made yet.
"It's 50-50 at the moment. Ben and I still have a few things to discuss," he said. "We want it resolved sooner rather than later. I like Ben, but I don't want to have coffee with him every day for the next three months."
Verbeek wasn't the only person at the press conference in Melbourne who wasn't willing to speak about their future. Socceroos midfielder Jason Culina was asked about where he intends to play in the next two months ahead of the World Cup, but said he wanted to speak to his club about it first.
"I know where I'm going, but I need to sit down over the next few days and chat with Gold Coast about that," he said.
It is believed Culina will announce his intended destination on the Gold Coast next Tuesday.
Thursday's press conference was to launch Australia's friendly against New Zealand at the MCG on May 24. With Australia not required to name its final 23-man squad for the World Cup until June 1, Verbeek said it will be a good chance for fringe players to push their case.
"We have a big squad, probably more than 23 players, I think it's fair that everybody gets to show themselves in the training, during the games, until the first game we play against Germany on June 13," he said.
"I think it's to early to be playing our best XI or making final decision as to who will be in that team. So many things can happen in the weeks leading up. In the end, it's a friendly match and it's not a World Cup."