Postecoglou quits Socceroos bench

Australia was left without a coach seven months before the World Cup finals on Wednesday when Ange Postecoglou walked away from the job after weeks of speculation over his future.

Postecoglou, who had come under fire as Australia failed to secure direct qualification to Russia, announced his decision just a week after the Socceroos had sealed their spot with a 3-1 playoff win over Honduras.

The 52-year-old spoke emotionally about the toll the job had taken on his family but did not otherwise elaborate on his reasons for leaving.

"After a great deal of thought and soul-searching, I've decided that the journey for me ends as Socceroos coach," he told reporters at Sydney Cricket Ground.

"As I've said many times, it's been the biggest privilege of my life and probably not the ending I had envisaged when we started. But at the same time, I know it's...