Former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou is the front runner to take charge of J-League club Yokohama F-Marinos next season, Australian media reports say.

Postecoglou quit as Australia coach in November just a week after guiding the team to a World Cup spot, and said then that he wanted to coach abroad.

Yokohama's French coach Erick Mombaerts said in early November he would be leaving the club at the end of the season and return to Europe.

Postecoglou was "certainly in the frame" to take charge of the Marinos, which is part-owned by the City Football Group (CFG), the Sydney Morning Herald reported Saturday.

The newspaper added that sources close to Postecoglou was considering their offer, with a possible deal to be concluded as early as next week.

CFG also owns English Premier League club Manchester City, Major League Soccer's New York City, Melbourne City in Australia and Uruguayan club Atletico Torque.

Australia, who have yet to find a replacement for Postecoglou, said Saturday they were optimistic of getting through the group stage despite drawing higher-ranked teams in the 2018 World Cup.