Celtic frontrunner Ange Postecoglou fired back at the "stigma" against managers from Australia in an interview earlier this year.
The Greek-born coach is now the frontrunner to be named Neil Lennon's permanent successor at Celtic after talks with first choice Eddie Howe spectacularly collapsed.
The potential move to the Premiership from the Yokohama Marinos with no experience of European leagues has caught many by surprise as the club move on to plan B.
The 55-year-old made his name at Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory before stepping into the Australian national side hot seat.
He rubbed shoulders with the likes of former Spain boss Vicente del Bosque and ex-Netherlands gaffer Louis Van Gaal at the World Cup during his tenure.
In a resurfaced Optus Sport interview, he was asked about coaches from the Southern Hemisphere getting their shot.
Postecoglou proclaimed that they are more than ready to make the jump to European leagues - saying he has been unmoved by some of the elite names he has faced throughout his career.
He said: “I think there is a massive stigma against Australian coaches and where we have come from and where we have coached.
“I don’t think that has changed or is necessarily going to change very quickly, but the thing is with those Australian traits Kevin (Muscat), Popo (Tony Popovic) and Harry (Kewell) are prepared to start wherever.
“When I look at these guys they could definitely be coaching at a higher level in Europe, no doubt about it.
“I’ve been pretty privileged to have met most of the worlds top coaches and I can tell you that for the most part you come away underwhelmed; not that impressed.
“Obviously for us having that Australian passport it means you start at the bottom.”
