"It's a bit surreal, really. It happened very quickly after Perth. It's great to get into it, great to be around the level of people here like Rene (Meulensteen) and Arnie. It's a wonderful experience."

Lowe was invited to join the Socceroos set-up for November's home friendly matches against South Korea and Lebanon. If it went well, the plan was for Lowe to stick around and join them in the United Arab Emirates for the Asian Cup, which kicks off next week.

The team has set up their pre-tournament camp in Jebel Ali, a port town and industrial zone approximately half an hour's drive south-west of the hustle and bustle of central Dubai. Their training base is right next to a shooting range, with pistols and shotguns regularly cracking as players are put through their paces. Everything within eyesight is either a highway, desert, or something under construction.

Tactical decisions are still the domain of Arnold and Meulensteen, but Lowe's role is still quite hands-on, particularly in training drills involving set plays and dead-ball situations.

Asked if he ever thought he would find himself working in international football, Lowe said: "Not in a million years."

Loading

"I think I always had a good relationship with Arnie on the side of the park. There was always a bit of banter there between us both on the pitch. A few times when I was doing really well, and a few times when we weren't, I got a few text messages. The relationship was kind of informal, it developed from there.

"It's really professional and focused but there's an enjoyment part to it as well. Everyone's got to come to work, do the business and perform but (Arnold) wants everyone to enjoy themselves along the journey. I think it'll be a great journey."

Lowe said he is enjoying watching Perth Glory from afar following their strong start to life under his replacement, Tony Popovic. "I'm pleased for them, I'm pleased for Tony Sage - he's worked ever so hard and he's made a great appointment in Popa," he said. "They've signed some fantastic players and they're top of the league. A bit like we were in my first season. I know how he feels."

Lowe's new job has also reunited him with some of the players he coached at the Glory, including Trent Sainsbury and Josh Risdon. "It's nice to see them from 14-year-olds maturing into starting XI players for the national team, which is sensational," he said.

Like all new additions to the Socceroos, Lowe also had to go through the traditional initiation of singing a song in front of the entire group. His choice? The Village People's YMCA. "I got a standing ovation," he said.