Former Manchester United star Dwight Yorke has confirmed he wants the head coaching role at A-League club Sydney FC.

Yorke, who lifted the championship trophy as the Sky Blues marquee-man in the A-League’s inaugural season in 2005/06, says he would love to return to Sydney to replace departing Czech coach Vitezslav Lavicka.

“I’m absolutely interested in coaching Sydney,” Yorke told The Sunday Telegraph.

“I’ve been there as a player and know what success is all about in Sydney.”

The former Aston Villa, Blackburn and Sunderland star, who will this month take up a role as assistant coach to Manchester United’s reserve team, feels his experience at the highest level of the sport will stand him in good stead.

“I also think it’s the right time, at 40, to start a manager’s job,” Yorke said.

“With the experience of 24 years as a player and having played the game at the highest level, I feel I could offer something special to Sydney FC.”

Yorke, who scored seven goals in 21 appearances for Sydney, said he was disappointed to see the club underperforming and suggested a lack of leadership existed at the club.

“Losing is very much part of sport, but it is the way they’re losing. No passion, no fight and no leader,” the former Trinidad and Tobago international said.

“Sydney should always be the No.1 team. That’s what the owners and the supporters wanted from the outset.”

Among the names being linked with the coaching job was former Italy and Chelsea star Gianfranco Zola, who coached Premier League side West Ham from 2008 to 2010.

Plenty of names closer to home were linked with the position, with Central Coast coach Graham Arnold the hot favourite while fellow A-League coach Ange Postecoglou (Brisbane), current and former Sydney assistants Steve Corica and Tony Popovic and former A-League coaches Branko Culina, Frank Farina and Ernie Merrick have also been suggested.