Brian Eastick has been offered the job of Hong Kong team manager, and will return to England today to consider his future after being given one week to decide.
The current manager of the England Under-20 team enjoyed brief exposure to Hong Kong soccer yesterday, acting as guest coach for First Division club Sapling - who comprise mainly Hong Kong Under-21 team members - at Kowloon Tsai Park.
Eastick, who came to Hong Kong this week for an interview for the top job, remained tight-lipped about his future, but a source at the Hong Kong Football Association confirmed he had been offered the job, which is worth over HK$2 million a year.
'I enjoyed the session and know more about Hong Kong soccer than four days ago,' said Eastick after a two-hour workout with the youngsters. He refused to comment when asked about his chance of becoming Hong Kong manager.
It is believed the 60-year-old's considerable experience in coaching at national level has convinced a selection panel headed by HKFA chairman Brian Leung Hung-tak to recommend him for the post.
Leung did not give any details regarding the appointment yesterday, insisting that the HKFA also had a number of other candidates on the list for consideration.
But the HKFA source said: 'We are waiting for his decision. This may be his last job and therefore he may need a bit of time to think about it. The association will only consider other people if Eastick turns it down.'