If overseas offers come in, as they should, then Herbert will have a rich and fascinating future offshore, but it one unlikely to allow him to also coach the All Whites.
There is also speculation about captain Ryan Nelsen's international future. The Blackburn Rovers captain (32) was evasive on his future after the match against Paraguay, and wants time to reflect.
In the afterglow of the All Whites' stunning unbeaten World Cup performance, signs are Herbert will continue as the national coach for now.
He is the man of the hour, the one-time baby of the great 1982 team who has succeeded with Mission Impossible in South Africa.
There were tears on the field and in the dressing room after the goalless draw with Paraguay in Polokwane, where the brave, brilliantly organised All Whites exited the World Cup yesterday morning.
Herbert, who left for a family holiday in Hong Kong last night, also made an emotional speech to his staff.
Having come so close to making the last 16, missing out was a bitter disappointment.
In the cold light of day, the All Whites lacked the necessary attack to warrant any claims that they were unlucky and deserved better.
The All Whites did what they could, but could not break the shackles put on them by a team that was ferocious in winning the ball back and clever at protecting it.
The New Zealand side had just three shots on goal throughout the tournament, scoring with two. It managed just four wayward strikes against Paraguay, which had 17 shots, with five on the mark. Paraguay had 57% possession.
Those are telling statistics.
Nothing could take away the magnitude of the All Whites' achievement, though.
They have redefined New Zealand football, and laid down a blueprint of players from professional leagues around the world coming together in a well-run side, with strong leadership. It is now up to the new brigade, Tommy Smith, Winston Reid and company, to carry on.
Anyone suggesting before the World Cup started that New Zealand would be undefeated, finish higher than World Cup holders Italy, and become brief, if limited, darlings of the whole shebang, would have been carted off by the men in white coats. This was a truly stunning stanza for New Zealand sport.
Herbert, who also had a fine season with the Phoenix in the A-league and has a year left on his club contract, will get overseas offers, and he is bound to take one eventually.
The country will hope he stays, although whether he remains for the next World Cup might be the big question.
As the All Whites made their way out of the Peter Mokaba Stadium, New Zealand Football chairman Frank van Hattum said a handshake deal should keep Herbert on board.
Herbert is employed by the Phoenix, which loans him to NZF, a deal that now expires.
"Ricki has expressed a great desire to continue coaching this team. He is also a passionate New Zealander and we respect that and will facilitate that," van Hattum said.
"We have a handshake agreement that if he wishes to pursue a club or continue coaching at the Phoenix, and continue with the All Whites, then subject to negotiation he's got that role.
"We've had that handshake and we're ready to roll... we're working with the Phoenix."
Herbert emphasised he was indebted to the Phoenix, and would always discuss matters first with the owner, Terry Serepisos.
There is also the matter of money - he gets about $50,000 for national duties, a pittance next to his achievements in South Africa.
Herbert was a little cryptic, referring to "the next coach" having to find new blood, but said the next coach might be himself.
Asked if he wanted to continue, Herbert said: "Anything could come out of left field which means you can't do it, but yeah. But if a club says I can't do it, then I have to make a decision.
"Terry has been my biggest supporter. If anything is going to change, he will be the first person I will talk to. But I'm in a positive dialogue with the chairman."
Van Hattum said NZF was working hard to build on the success, but also outlined the limitations of the Fifa international windows, and problems associated with finding opponents.
- Chris Rattue
