German Uli Stielike is set to coach against the Socceroos at the Asian Cup after he was appointed coach of Korea Republic on Friday.
The Korea Football Association (KFA) said the 59-year-old former Real Madrid favourite is signed through to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Previous coach Hong Myung-bo resigned in early July after a disappointing South Korea exited from the World Cup in Brazil with one draw and two losses.
Stielike is the first foreign head coach for South Korea since Dutchman Pim Verbeek, who quit in August 2007 after 13 months in the job.
Verbeek later coached the Socceroos.
Korea Republic is set to play the Socceroos in Brisbane on January 17 in both sides’ final group stage game of the Asian Cup.