By Jesse Fink
December 7th 2007 @ 12:38am
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Verbeek it is – so why is Arnold still around?
When I first heard Philippe Troussier’s name mentioned in relation to the Socceroos coaching position, I thought, “God, we really are up shit creek.”
Not that Troussier is a bad coach, but he’s like Bora Milatinovic: a mercenary, someone who has been unable to settle in any one place and is always out for the best deal going. He couldn’t even settle on his birth name. As is now well known, Philippe decided he would become a Muslim and so changed his name to Omar. Since his big gig coaching Japan at Korea-Japan 2002, he’s been the “Where’s Wally” of the international coaching scene.
So Pim Verbeek is a sober choice and a good one.
While not setting the world alight with his tenure as coach of Korea Republic, he at least showed his commitment to his adopted country by leaving his family behind in Holland and setting up camp in a hotel in Seoul. His affair with the Korean people stretched to nearly a decade (with a few detours in-between), first arriving in Asia to assist Guus Hiddink, doing the same for Dick Advocaat and then being his own boss in the lead-up to and at the Asian Cup.
Honourably, he resigned his position when he had set himself the target of winning the competition. By contrast, Graham Arnold, who publicly wagered he’d do the same, had to be pushed.
Verbeek’s arrival in Australia thus presents a fascinating character test for Arnold, who has been making noises since he left the senior men’s job for the Olyroos that he would playing an integral role with the Socceroos in qualifying for South Africa 2010.
Well, who says?
As Olympic coach he rightfully will have plenty of input and communication with Verbeek, who will be crossing wires with Arnold time and time again in regards to player selection. So many of the best footballers in Australia are either in or on the fringe of the Olympic team, and they have vital roles to play with the Socceroos.
But should Verbeek have his right-hand men foisted on him by the FFA?
My bet is that Verbeek will plump for his assistant at Korea, the Iranian-American Afshin Ghotbi, who is currently coach of Iranian side Persepolis. The two are very close and when I spoke to them last year for my book, 15 Days in June, I was blown away by the breadth of their knowledge of Australian football.
Are they really going to need Arnie to tell them who’s who?
Our legendary 1974 Socceroos coach Rale Rasic was right to say in the News Limited press midweek that “any good coach who accepts the position will always impose the condition that his own people work with him.
“Coaches must have 100 per cent trust in their staff. Graham Arnold wanted the job as the national coach, so how can you give him the assistant coach’s job?
“I have no reason to be anti-Arnold but football is a monster business. People in the FFA are naive in dealing with these aspects.”
Spot on, Rale.
Having made the progressive and unexpected decision to appoint Verbeek, how can the FFA now seriously suggest that having Arnold, a man who was utterly gutted to lose the Socceroos coaching position, is the best support they can provide for Verbeek?
Arnold is of a similar age to Verbeek and won’t be looking up to him in awe like he did Hiddink.
Conceivably having Arnold on staff could present a serious challenge to Verbeek’s authority.
Robbie Slater’s and Ange Postecoglou’s continuing advocacy of Arnold on Fox’s Total Football is becoming an embarrassment. If Arnold really was ready for the job because Guus Hiddink said so, as Arnold himself parroted ad nauseam before he was pushed, why then is Hiddink spruiking for Verbeek?
This writer has been criticised before for his musings on Arnold, but I wish to restate it again: I have no beef with the man. He is a decent bloke who is learning the ropes and will one day become a top-line coach.
But his sense of entitlement to being a part of the national coaching inner circle is arrogant and needs to be sorted out – pronto.
Better, methinks, to give some of our better young coaches in the A-League a chance to show what they’re made of: Alex Tobin (who assisted Rob Baan for the Nigeria match in London), Gary van Egmond, even Aurelio Vidmar.
Arnold has had his time and should move on. For the good of the Socceroos, it’s time he stepped aside.
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Related
Verbeek was the wrong choice, says Slater
Roar of the crowd: Verbeek gets the nod
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Andrew Logan said | December 7th 2007 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Jesse - congratulations on one of the best first lines I’ve seen on this site for some time!
rory said | December 7th 2007 @ 10:02am | Report comment
and just when i thought i was the only person praising the soceroos for turning down troussier, thank god. ur replacement at robbieslater.com thought verbeek was unimpressive and a terrible choice as coach and most morons there seemed to agree, ive nearly just about given up on fox to be honest as i find twg to be far less bias and more factual. troussier is one of those blokes (and he showed it with benin by turning them down) who turns up to a job which he gets paid, fills in the time while a big tournaments on, possibly turns a few heads, and buggers off after the comp, looking for the next paycheque, his record speaks for itself, he does have the knowledge of asia there, but for a guy whos been heavily involved in scouting and coaching asian football as an assistant for 10+ years at one club is better than some journeyman whos seen it from a few teams in a short space of time i think. well done FFA, and i think its about time arnold took a club job in the a-league like his mate frank, look how well hes doing, proving his credentials as a decent coach, not at the biggest club ofcourse, but building a cv and gaining experience.
Midfielder said | December 7th 2007 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Jes, agree and Robbie’s support has every football forum saying hand off it Robbie ………………. maybe ……………. if he keeps it up Robbie may go as well…………………….I can always dream
Kazama said | December 7th 2007 @ 11:23am | Report comment
I’m very happy that we’ve got Verbeek, and I agree that bringing in Ghotbi would be a good move. I think Pim is here for the long haul and, unless disaster strikes, I expect him to still be here after WC 2010 is in the history books.
I am not sure about Arnold sticking around, and I agree that having an A-League coach get some experience would be a better choice. My preference is Aurelio Vidmar. Though he is very inexperienced, he has a excellent football brain and a hell of a lot of potential. I have said before that he needs a guiding hand if he is going to become a great manager, and I believe he would greatly benefit from working with guys like Verbeek, Baan and (hopefully) Ghotbi.
At last, we have a coach. Now let’s get on with it!
Mike said | December 7th 2007 @ 5:41pm | Report comment
Verbeek is a much better option than some of the other names mentioned, no doubt about that. His experience holding down a senior job for a top Asian nation is certainly a plus.
I have no problem with Graham Arnold as Olyroos coach. He’s much better in that role than as the senior coach because there’s none of that matey stuff going on between him and the players; they’re half his age, he’d never played beside them, he’s their boss and not their friend. He’s doing OK, the Olyroos are in the Olympics, it’s all good.
Arnie shouldn’t be Pim’s right-hand man. I think you’re right, Jesse, when you say that he wouldn’t be quite as subordinate as he was under Hiddink. I mean, he’s had a taste of what it’s like to be the big pig — he’s hardly going to settle for his old job as the little pig sugar-coating the big pig’s instructions for the players (or the other animals, if I wish to keep up the Animal Farm reference). Pim should get his own guy in. Graham has a purpose to serve for Verbeek and co, sure; but not so big a role as he would perhaps like.
Cpaaa said | December 8th 2007 @ 1:59pm | Report comment
how can arnold be looked upon as a role model when he has achieved sweet FA. Robbie Slater really has no confidence or sound knowledge in his comments on TF or in the commentry box as compared to a foster. Weve all seen the ugly side of postacocklou on twg. the best part of TF is the name its self.
ange,slater and mike cockreals support of arnold is outrages, and their support is also shared by another bloke named fitzsimmons, and he is one that knows very little about football and one that will love to see it burried back in the stone age.
the less said about this homer simpson the better, but when boof head fitz says frank farina and graham arnold are excellent choices for the socceroos position (the back page),,,,,,? then its like satan preaching christianity.
idealy i would love to see arnold turn his back on australia and gain experience coaching else where. preferably in asia. every coach in the a-league is capable of doing arnies job and probably for a far less fee. i think arnies more keen on job security than taking a chance overseas. i wish he would and even if he fails he would have earned respect.
MIdfielder said | December 8th 2007 @ 5:06pm | Report comment
Cpaaa ………………………………… AGREE ………………… the three sisters and their support of GA …………… shows how little they know. As for ……………………………. Devil Boy …………………………. as in Harry Potter ……………… name of the evil one should never be mentioned in public.
Also my guess it was Frank’s call and he has not built his business by picking loosers…………….. peolpe say that Frank has an ability to see the potential in people and history says he does not often make the wrong choice.
So IMO it was Frank who choose between Dutch & French, ………………. he had the files, ………. made the calls to past employers……………………. Frank says go with Pim,
I say lets trust Frank call & vision.
Salvation said | December 9th 2007 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
What is with these baby boomer Ex Socceroos? Rale seems to know what’s what, perhaps they should py some heed to their elders? Mind, congratulations must go to Frank Farina, in my opinion, one of the “tainted” who has (continually) redeemed himself by his silence on NT matters. If only some of these other neverbeens would choose that option.
sledgeross said | December 10th 2007 @ 9:07am | Report comment
Nice work Jesse.
But lets be fair here. Robbie Slater didnt say anything that wasnt true. In time past I have been critical of Arnie, but Slater makes some telling points. Verbeek only has (internationally as the haad honcho) marginally more experience than Arnie, PLUS his team was even more underwhelming than the Socceroos in the AC. He is a “Neville” compared to some of the other names thrown around. I dont see mentioned FACTS as Slater saying Arnie should be there. Rather, it is a commentary on how we all bayed for Arnies blood after his AC ineptitude when, compared to huis successor, his record isnt so bad. Maybe Im naive, but that how it seemed to me, though Im sure the SBS “cultural cringe” sycophants will say otherwise.
I agree with Jesse regards “Omar”. If we have to hire a mercanary, we are in massive trouble. I admire the Dutch concept of Total Football, but when did they ever win anything? When did the tacticians of Argentina win a World Cup last? The name that excited me the most was Lippi. Sure, the Doyens on Dolmio dont play pretty, but they play gritty. Surely thats in line with out whole sporting ethos?
sledgeross said | December 10th 2007 @ 9:10am | Report comment
Sorry, I meant Capello, not Lippi. I was just applying my make-up lol
rory said | December 10th 2007 @ 10:31am | Report comment
if you check verbeeks history sledgeross, he has a wee bit more experience at club and international level than arnold, and so does his assistant to be hopefully ashif ghotbi, both have experience as managers at club level, and south koreas defence during the tournament was a wee bit better than arnolds if u do recall, they only conceeded one i think, and thats without there four best players and guus was similar, he knew australia had the go foward talent, just we suffered at the back. the sooner arnold is pushed out to an a-league club or lower spot the better i reckon.
sledgeross said | December 10th 2007 @ 11:37am | Report comment
Granted, Rory. But the point is that as a fair dinkum manager of an international team (though I did mis-spell head honcho!), their experience and records roughly equate to the same thing (which is what I think Slator was trying to articulate).
Look, Im not bagging Verbeeks appointment (though I would have preferred Neeskens!), he has managed clubs in Holland, and assisted in some big tourneys, but I can see Robbies point as well. We have been stuffing around since (basically) Hiddink left, all these big names have been mentioned, and we probably get the bloke whose record is more similar to the bloke we dumped than any of the “names” we tried to sign.
As for South Koreas defence, thats all well and good, but they didnt score many goals either. They were just as abysmal as the Socceroos. The only thing we can take from that is that the Socceroos could not have played as badly as that again if they tried (big statement, I know!)) yet they still made it as far as they did, and had to get beat by penalties.
MIdfielder said | December 10th 2007 @ 11:39pm | Report comment
Sledgeross, I still maintain my point, my guess it was Frank’s call. Neeskens, Verbeeks, & Omar could have been chosen.
Franks’s call was Verbeeks, I trust his judgement. IMO Frank has earned that right compare 2007 with 2004, say in 2004 we were here and in 2007 we are here.
History tells us he should have got Neeskens, my guess is he would admit that, he is not the kinda of guy to keep making mistakes.
Rory is right for RS to compare Arnold to Verbeek is lol, nay ROFL. RS, Cockup & Angie baby, need to stop the stuipd bias support for Arnold, and Arnold should be very happy he has got between assistant Australian coach, Australian coach & now the olyroo coach over 12 years wages, and all this from a failed Northern Spirit coach. As an aside RS was in Arnolds team.
Also agree with Salvation comments about Frank Farina, Arnold could look to copy FF and earn his stripes.
The Arnie, Henk and Pim Show » The Roar - Your Sports Opinion said | June 13th 2008 @ 1:47am | Report comment
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