Juergen Klinsmann celebrates after Germany won the World Cup 2006 third place soccer match against Portugal in Stuttgart July 8, 2006. [Reuters]

NEW YORK - Juergen Klinsmann says he is open to coaching the US national soccer team. "Absolutely I'm interested," Klinsmann told Saturday's New York Times. "I kind of needed some time to reflect after the World Cup.

"I've been in touch with Sunil (Gulati, president of the United States Soccer Federation) and had several conversations, all very positive.

"Right now, I'm trying to do my homework, talking to people to find out more about how things work in the US."

Klinsmann, the former Germany striker who coached his country to the World Cup semi-finals this summer, currently lives in California and his believe to be the top candidate in the USSF's worldwide search for a replacement for long time coach Bruce Arena, who stepped down in July after eight years in charge.

According to the Times, the USSF has discussed the vacancy with some of soccer's biggest names, including former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Guus Hiddink and Gerard Houllier.

Two Major League Soccer coaches are also believed to be under consideration, Canada's Frank Yallop, who coaches the Los Angeles Galaxy and Peter Nowak of DC United.

Following Germany's emotional run to the last four on home soil, a drained Klinsmann had denied any interest in the American job despite the fact he now lives in the US and seemed a perfect fit.

"I simply wanted a break for family reasons," he said. "I told everyone that I would not be able to go back straight into work. I needed to settle back into a normal life, taking my kids to school every day.

"I had said that for the next half year I would not consider any new jobs."