Socceroos coach Holger Osieck is in hot water with half the Australian population after he told a press conference that 'women should shut up in public'.

Australia's German-born coach made the sexist jibe after his team's World Cup qualifying win over Jordan, which has taken them to within one win of securing their place in Brazil.

Osieck was forced to apologise for his remarks but qualified his apology by saying it was off the record and said only as a joke.

Osieck was taking his seat at a press conference following Australia's 4-0 win over Jordan on Tuesday when he jokingly accused a male Football Australia official of ordering him around 'like his wife.'

Osieck then used the Latin phrase 'Mulieres taceres in ecclesia', adding his own English translation - 'women should shut up in public' - for the benefit of non-Latin speakers.

'I say it to my wife at home, it is a private one, OK,' he added.

Looking at the waiting media he added: 'And you record that one as well? I am going to be the darling of all Australian wives.'

Osieck, who worked as an assistant coach to Franz Beckenbauer when West Germany won the World Cup in 1999, has since looked to downplay the remarks.

'To everyone who may feel offended by that, I offer a sincere apology,' Osieck said today.