Pim Verbeek gave his informal goodbye to Australia on Sunday as he prepared to take the Socceroos to South Africa for the World Cup.
The 54-year-old Dutchman will lead Australia against New Zealand on Monday in the team's final home match ahead of leaving for South Africa on Wednesday.
Verbeek will leave the Socceroos after the World Cup to coach Morocco's national youth teams.
Verbeek led Australia to both the World Cup and Asian Cup and in 27 matches coached the team to 15 wins, eight draws and four losses - and more than twice as many goals scored as conceded.
"I have enjoyed every minute I have spent in Australia because it's a fantastic country with fantastic people," Verbeek told Australian Associated Press.
"I've had a fantastic squad and I've enjoyed every minute I've had with my players."
Verbeek was an assistant to his Australia predecessor Guus Hiddink with South Korea at the 2002 World Cup, where the co-host country made it to the semifinals.
Verbeek admitted it was tough to understand his team's underdog status involving Australia's other football codes - Australian Rules, rugby league and rugby union.
"I should have preferred to have every training session in the stadium (Melbourne Cricket Ground, site of Monday's match)," Verbeek said. "But this is Australia, huh? There are other things more important than the World Cup."
The MCG was otherwise occupied - Friday night's Geelong-Collingwood Australian Rules football match drew 88,000 spectators, and Richmond and Essendon had 64,000 on Saturday.
