New Zealand Football has confirmed a replacement for Anthony Hudson at the helm of the All Whites will be named before March next year.
Hudson departed the role to take over Major league Soccer side the Colorado Rapids, after the side failed to qualify for next year's Fifa World Cup.
In a short statement released on Tuesday, New Zealand Football revealed they would name his successor in early 2018, and the new coach would be expected to lead the All Whites to the 2022 World cup.
"The governing body has appointed sporting recruitment specialists Global Elite Sports to undertake the search to find the successor to Anthony Hudson," the statement said.
"The new coach will have the task of guiding the national team to the 2022 Fifa World Cup in Qatar.
"New Zealand Football has been inundated with applications for the role and will form a shortlist early in the New Year with the intention of having the All Whites coach in place for the FIFA International Window in March."
Hudson took over the side in 2014, leading the All Whites to nine wins, seven draws and 11 defeats in his 27 games in charge.
Since linking up with the Colorado Rapids, Hudson has brought in some familiar faces with All Whites assistant coach Darren Bazeley, technical analyst Jason Kim and defender Kip Colvey all joining him for the 2018 season.