NEW YORK (Reuters):

JURGEN KLINSMANN says he is open to coaching the United States national soccer team.

"Absolutely, I'm interested," Klinsmann told Friday'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, USSF) 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 U.S."

Klinsmann, the former Germany striker who coached his country to the World Cup semi-finals this summer, currently lives in California, and is believed 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 D.C. United.