By Slippery Jim
October 8th 2008 @ 2:08am
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Pim handles the pressure well
Coaches and their symbiotic relationships with the media often generate fireworks. Although speaking to the media is part of what professional coaches are paid to do and the media also need their precious sound bites from coaches to sell their wares, at times the mutual relationship seems fraught with drama.
Occasionally, well, let’s be honest - perhaps it’s more than occasionally - the coaches are the ones who fly off the rails.
Anyone who has read about or watched the recent verbal blast from new English Premier League coach Joe Kinnear would know.
52 swears in five minutes - even Gordon Ramsey would have blushed at some of what came out of Joe’s mouth during his undoubtedly cathartic spray at the expense of his local journos.
Even more shocking is the fact that he allowed them to print it.
One can’t help but think that Newcastle should now be able to pull themselves out of their mire by simply spending some of their well-laden swear jar pennies in the next transfer window. And perhaps even build a new stadium while they are at it.
Premier League coaches Arsene Wenger, Sir Alex Ferguson and others have all been fined for speaking out of turn.
Locally, John Kosmina also seems to enjoy a verbal stoush or two, and sometimes his stoushes have not been so much verbal, as Kevin Muscat can attest.
At other times it is the media who go off the deep end, such as when football analyst Craig Foster famously attacked Ange Postocoglou on SBS.
Not only did he ask the then under-20 national coach to resign off the cuff, and on national television, but he continually heckled the poor guy, speaking over the top of him.
Foster’s face all the while working furiously to come up with an expression that suited his Michael-Douglas in Falling-Down level of rage.
It was almost as if he imagined he was interviewing Osama Bin Laden’s evil twin rather than a well-intentioned, if underachieving. Aussie coach.
Speaking of Aussie coaches, in ‘Aussie’ Pim Verbeek, we have a more restrained individual. But while he certainly seems to keep his cards close to his chest, he doesn’t mind making waves.
In January this year, he caused much consternation when he said, outrageously, and with no provocation: “If you train for three weeks with Nuremberg or with Karlsruhe, I have to be very honest, I still think that’s better than playing A-League games.”
How very dare this upstart Johnny-come-lately Dutchman disrespect our brand new Aussie national competition so off-handedly. He might as well say he finds Vegemite vulgar, or enjoys kicking baby kangaroos, the journalists said, in not so many words.
It was interesting to see his style in an interview the other day in which he responded to Neil Warnock’s complaint about his comments about Nick Carle needing to leave the Championship to further his career.
In a response to a question about Australian footballer and darling of the footballing media Nick Carle, Verbeek said rather archly:
“I don’t want to speak about Nicky Carle anymore. Let’s start playing football first. How many games did he play the last months? Years? Let’s first show himself, his qualities, the last time he played well was here in the A-League. That’s two years ago. Let’s focus on Wednesday’s game, that’s more important.”
Then, directed at one journalist, “when was the last time you saw him play? That’s a good point, eh? [turns to another] When was the last time you saw him play live? Yeeeeeesss? No answer? Next question please.”
An astute comment that final one, since the last time I expressed the idea of watching Nick Carle’s overseas games – at the very least, via the web or Pay TV - to one of the football media’s loudest promoters of Nicky Carle’s abilities, he admitted that he didn’t actually follow that closely Nicky’s games overseas.
In fact, he was glad not to as he had better things to do on the weekends.
Seriously.
The Dutch Verbeek is typically blunt in his remarks, yet he certainly seems an astute handler of the media. And he gives as good as he gets.
In an interview last week with David Basheer and Craig Foster – who thankfully seemed almost at pains to be meek and mild towards Verbeek – he unapologetically spoke his mind and explained very clearly some of the reasons behind his selection decisions.
His laconic sense of humour also came through in the way he ended his interview.
When Basheer closed with the somewhat over-smarmy remark (all things considered, what with their criticism of both Verbeek and his assistant, Arnold) to the effect that “the whole of Australia is behind you,” Pim remarked ironically, “that’s a relief.”
Interestingly, from largely the same people who continue to complain about Graham Arnold’s supposed media silence after the Olympics, there has already been mutterings that perhaps Pim Verbeek would be best to also button it when it comes to speaking his mind to the press.
What right does the man have to his opinion – he’s only our national coach after all!
How dare he.
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We were talking about the important things in life, mainly sport.
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dasilva said | October 8th 2008 @ 3:34am | Report comment
Training in the team in the top leagues of Europe and not playing may not be good for advancing your career especially with soccerroos. But it may be more beneficial in developing as a player then playing regularly in the A-league (depends on which clubs you go though). Dean Heffernan went to Nurnberg and didn’t even play a single match. got back and then all the coaches at the central coast were astounded in how much he improved in defending and positioning. Nick Ward came back to Melbourne Victory and stared with them for a few matches. Scott Jamieson is a great talent and doing well for Adelaide but he is essentially a reject from Bolton. I’m interested in how much Leijer has develop in Fulham. He probably would have played for the Soccerroos already if he stayed in the a-league. However he could have improved as a player and that may make it worth while.
I don’t think anything has proven that Pim Verbeek statement wrong yet.
In any case - Pim doesn’t have to watch any match in all the players in Europe especially those playing in lower division. It’s the job of Henk Duut to do that and Pim to rely on his assessment. Pim wouldn’t get much done if he personally watches and monitors the form of all potential soccerroos. If the player get a tick from Henk then Pim then judges the player in person in training camps. Carle had the opportunity and he didn’t impress. It was a pretty unfair question.
In any case Carle although playing well in English 2nd division he hasn’t standed out and played exceptionally well with exception of a few matches (Bristol city vs Sheffield). Not many assist and not many goals. Considering that most of his midfield competitors for the national team are playing in much stronger domestic leagues. Carle will not break into national side by just playing “well” for a bottom half second division club. He has to be stand out for his club and the league.
dasilva said | October 8th 2008 @ 3:39am | Report comment
Yes Foster was downright rude to Ange Postecoglu and should have made a public apology on the World game website or show for that fiasco (apparently he did apologise on radio but not many people would have heard that). Although to be honest it wasn’t much worst then Slater welcoming rant to Pim Verbeek virtually implying he was only got the job because of his race/nationality.
dasilva said | October 8th 2008 @ 3:44am | Report comment
I think one thing that should have been mention. Frank Farina and Andrew Orsatti. Who could forget that one word interview with Andrew Orsatti on TWG. Afterwards Orsatti told Farina why you are behaviouring this way. We are on the same side here. Causing Frank Farina to lose it causing him to attack Andrew. Apparently a throat grab that would have done Kosmina proud. Bloody hell Andrew is as threatening as a lamb and yet frank still believes it is a media ambush.
Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 1:04pm | Report comment
Jim
Pim’s comments would have been acceptable if it was Carle pushing his barrow but it was not. Carle is saying the right things, appears to be working hard, is playing games in a league where many Aussies have struggled to get a game. Directness is a virtue, but slagging off a player to make a point to some sections of the media is unprofessional. If Pim wants to have a crack at players he could start with those that deserve it, like when Milligan or Musialik went AWOL earlier this year.
dasilva said | October 8th 2008 @ 1:07pm | Report comment
I think Musialik did get spray in the media by Pim Verbeek.
he was ask if Musialik AWOL was a reason why he was left out of the Soccerroos squad to play Singapore.
Pim said yes. He thought it was unprofessional and that it was a worst crime then what Vukovic done in the grand final (referring to hand slap).
Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 1:29pm | Report comment
dasilva
you are right.
Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 1:55pm | Report comment
Mick, you’re right I have behaved incredibly unprofessionally - I don’t get paid a cent for writing my opinions in articles like these. 100% pro bono.
Pim is not having a crack at Nick Carle, and neither am I. the media have constantly been harassing Pim for his opinion of Carle, he is simply replying to their questions and giving his honest opinion and reasons, and obviously getting sick of constantly fielding them when more pressing matters are at hand. If you watched the whole interview on TWG (both before and after Warnock’s comments about it) you would have noticed the praise that Pim had for Nick Carle’s special abilities.
I guess you fall into the group of people I mentioned in the last paragraphs; “from largely the same people who continue to complain about Graham Arnold’s supposed media silence after the Olympics, there has already been mutterings that perhaps Pim Verbeek would be best to also button it when it comes to speaking his mind to the press.”
I am certainly not slagging off Nick Carle myself in this article at any point.
I have in the past made the point that I don’t think Carle is international quality yet and indeed may never be, and does not deserve selection over the likes of Cahill, Kewell, Bresciano, etc. I also think he is highly overrated by people who don’t really know what they are talking about.
Pim has touched on all of the main reasons why I feel this way, and I won’t go into these again. Carle is showing signs of a return to form in recent weeks and if he applies himself and is more committed to the national team his chance may come.
But that is not the theme of this particular article anyhow - it is somewhat tongue-in-cheek, don’t take it too seriously
The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
Slippery, it seems Slater would be Verbeek enemy number one, when it comes to advising our NT manager “buttoning” his opinions. But I have no problem with his opinions, nor Slater’s, as they all add to the mill of “news”. At last we have some “response” to the Carle saga. If only Arnold had the same compulsion to offer us all some insights, after Beijing.
GA certainly had no “supposed” silence as he danced his way through THAT presser, before he sailed away into the golden sunset that was the Beijing Games. At least Pim is making himself available, for now. Thought, I wonder how long it will be, before Frank Lowy says “that’s enough”, lol.
It must be said tho, i appreciate you actually presenting your own opinions in the form of an article, on the whole Arnold scenario. Even if it made only the slightest reference in your admiration of Pim’s handling of the press.
Graciously,
The Bear
Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 2:29pm | Report comment
Sadly I missed the Slater interview everyone seems to be referring to - was it recently or ages ago (in which case I may have just forgotten it). Slater doesn’t come across as the brightest spark but he sometimes makes quite good points. I have been thoroughly enjoying Bosnich’s unique views when he has appeared on Foxsports, it’s a shame he won’t be a regular.
Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 2:38pm | Report comment
Jim
We are lost in translation. I have no issue with your article and I support its central theme, Pim’s frankness is a breath of fresh air. But he can have a crack at the media without having a crack at Carle.
I have no interest in hearing Arnold speak, I find the demand for justification tawdry. I also am over debating Carle’s merits. I am biased because after watching his 2006-07 season for the Jets I saw a player of unique talents, even if we debate the standard of the league. I want him to be a great player. I would love to see him do great things for the roos. I even accept that I have no idea what I am talking about. I accept Pim is better qualified and more objective.
My sole contribution to this debate was to say first I wish people would stop asking Pim this question because Pim is clearly his own man and wont be hectored. Fair enough. Nick is not asking why he is not getting picked. My second point which arises from Pim’s clarification is that stating that Carle has not played a good game in 2 years is unlikely to be true and over the top.
Otherwise Jim always happy to read your stuff.
My second contribution was to say
Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 2:44pm | Report comment
Mick, yeah I realised after I re-read your post! Don’t mind me, I skim, reply, re-read and then slap myself upside the head when I realised I misunderstood the original comment…
By the way, I’m quite pleased with how this article was edited for me, my original title (see the link) was rubbish, I rambled on rather aimlessly towards the end, left out a word and left in a word which I should have left out, you have no idea. The editors did a much better job then on my last article in which I used totally the wrong abbreviation for Abu Dhabi United Group “UDUG” throughout the article - luckily no-one seemed to notice…
The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 2:55pm | Report comment
Jim, i thought you must have been referring to Slater. Robbie was quite firm in his opinions that Pim should shut up about the HAL quality, and it’s inferiority to training in Europe. That came quite soon after Pim’s “underwheling” appointment, mind.
Graciously,
The Bear
Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 3:10pm | Report comment
Ah yes, while I didn’t see an interview between Slater and Pim that was anything to write home about, I do remember Slater getting quite worked up on foxsports about what he thought of that A-League remark.
The Bear said | October 8th 2008 @ 3:27pm | Report comment
Slater do an interview? LOL. He just waits in the shadows and takes shots from the Foxsports gallery (ie panel). But he has been fairly well behaved of late. Maybe he has moved on? : - )
Midfielder said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:14pm | Report comment
Mick
Pim was asked a direct question on Nicky …………. he gave his answer …….. the fact that SBS in particular has been running the Nicky flag for some time I believed needed a response …….
What I found interesting as always is when Fozza is up against a person of great football knowledge he comes unstuck …. I can recall in Hal 3, SBS had Juninro in and Fozza was comparing the Mariners to other teams and talking about the short passing game, how the Mariners lacked any footballl skills and attacking the coaching staff Scottish etc. To his great surprise the answer was look they have height and speed and they play a game that suits their strength ………if I had a team with that much speed and height I would play the same way …….. BTW end of questioning ….. next week same old same old from Fozza.
However lets us not dwell in the past, Mrs football got the message from way up high (at SBS) as I understand to call off his football war with Fox and to their GREAT CREDIT ……. SBS have been much more balanced this year.
But to Pim I think he is the best thing to happen to football in Australia in years, the way he keeps taking A-League players into the training squads is improving these players enormously. Pim is at every game unless there is a clash speaks his mind has a European person to watch Australian players overseas, ………… so go PIM
Slippery Jim said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:27pm | Report comment
I agree, SBS have become much more balanced of late, to their credit. I think Fozzie has become more mature and level headed lately. I wonder if they managed to get Graham Arnold in for an interview whether he would treat him the way he did Ange? I like to think not.
Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:34pm | Report comment
Midfielder
In the best thing to happen to Aust football in years I would put Pim at least behind World Cup qualification, going to the WC 2nd round, joining Asia, forming the A league, Tim Cahill, Guus and Adelaide qualifying for the ACL semi.
Midfielder said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:45pm | Report comment
Sorry Mick in coaching terms I was talking about ……… Guss showed us the way and put football on the media map ……… but PIim is doing those things we need a top coach to do and he is helping build players in the A-league and that is important.
Joe FC said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:53pm | Report comment
Professional football today is all about results whether we like it or not. If we qualify for SA then Pim will have done a great job…and if we don’t he will be a failure.
dasilva said | October 8th 2008 @ 4:57pm | Report comment
I have to agree with Midfielder. Pim is doing an exceptional job as a manager.
what I’m impressed about Pim is the ability to play to the conditions. Arnold kept on complaining about the conditions every time he lost. He knew hiddink system off by heart but he couldn’t coach a different system when the situation demanded. Under Pim we slowed the tempo down. Controlled the opponent with short passes. only speed things up at intervals in the game. We played a style of football in difficult away match that conserve our energy. Arnold couldn’t do that. Yes we lost in UAE against Iraq and we drew with china in Kunming. This doesn’t change the fact that we played to the conditions, controlled the match and limited the opponents to a few chances unlike the disasterous Asia Cup or that lost to Kuwait away from home where we should have lost by a greater margin.
Compare australia vs Kuwait with Australia vs China in both away performance. Both situation were tough conditions. Both times that was the national coach only second match in his career in australia. Both match were single FIFA date. Yet Australia played so much better under Pim then Arnold. people argued we were lucky and were penalty away from losing the match or that Australia were overly cautious. They may be right but even if Australia lost the match I’ll still be full of praise how australia adapt to the conditions.
Mick of Newie said | October 8th 2008 @ 5:04pm | Report comment
Midfielder
In my view I am still waiting and seeing about his use of A league players. I still think his natural bias is in favour of players from lesser Euro leagues over A leaguers. It will be interesting to see if Jedinak gets close to a start, he is in form and with so many midfielders out he must be close although I acknowledge Burns (as much as I don’t rate him) played in Tashkent and we won, so does he reward that. Likely midfield Emmo, Culina, Cahill, Holman, Burns behind Kennedy.
fatboi-v- said | October 20th 2008 @ 12:12pm | Report comment
geee i hope pim realises that floated long balls to kennedy wont work as well against half decent teams at a world cup as it did against camel humping asian minnows.
The Bear said | October 20th 2008 @ 7:57pm | Report comment
Well off topic, but fbv, perhaps there may be a place for dukes up front…. and with Holman out of the squad, maybe The One Who Can Not Be Named may get a spot in the squad as a genuine midfielder. That way we can have a two dimensional attack, maybe even a three dimensional one, too!
Graciously,
The Bear
dasilva said | October 20th 2008 @ 8:41pm | Report comment
fatboi-v-
Although Pim hasn’t yet proven adaptability within the match (eg. substitution and plan B when initial plan is not working) he has proven he can adapt between matches. Australia vs Uzbekistan he realise that the team had strong reasonably tall (though not as tall as Kenendy) but slow defenders and play a european style and used to crosses in the box and hence had Holman and Kewell running at them and drop Kennedy. Against Qatar - kennedy, cahill and some floated long balls work the treat for players who aren’t used to that style of football. So yes I seriously doubt Pim will play the same way against Qatar as he will against other team.
The Bear
I would love Viduka to be back
I think him and Kennedy will make a very good partnership. Have Cahill running behind and you have a formidible physical, aerial and technical threat.
Midfielder said | October 20th 2008 @ 9:03pm | Report comment
Fat
I understand you may not like Pim, but we played a great game and held the ball so well ……. if you only saw long balls to Kennedy in the Qatar match ………Pim could walk on water and you would find a problem …… even Jes & Fozzie have become fans ……..
dasilva said | October 20th 2008 @ 9:21pm | Report comment
here here Midfielder
Pim has been unfairly criticise for the style of football we play. in all honesty it’s probably by people who can’t get past Nicky Carle non-selection. Whether you agree or disagree with his selection you can’t really fault the way Australia play football in the last three matches.
Australia vs qatar was a lot more then just direct football. We also play decent attacking possession football against Uzbekistan and Holland as well. We are becoming not just a side that wins but an attractive side to watch as well.