Former England manager Terry Venables is among 50 applicants to coach 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa, reports in Johannesburg said.
Lotthar Matthaus and former Republic of Ireland boss Brian Kerr are other ex-national team managers from Europe seeking to succeed Englishman Stuart Baxter, who quit two months ago after a nine-match winless run.
Romanian Ted Dumitru is caretaker coach for the African Nations Cup, which starts on Friday in Egypt, but the 70-year-old is not expected to seek the post on a full-time basis.
South Africa made a surprisingly good start under Dumitru in Cairo this weekend, beating Egypt 2-1 with Benni McCarthy scoring the winner on the stroke of half-time.
National football association chief executive Raymond Hack confirmed that about 50 applications had been received although the position has not been advertised.
Venables also gained international experience with Australia and Barcelona, Leeds United, Middlesbrough and Tottenham Hotspur were among the clubs he managed during a colourful career.
Matthaus signed a one-year contract this month with Brazilian first division club Atletico Parana after a largely unsuccessful two-year spell in charge of Hungary.
Kerr did not have his contract renewed by the Republic of Ireland after failing to reach the 2006 World Cup in Germany with Steve Staunton named as his replacement this week. – Sapa-AFP