Socceroos don’t neccessarily need a Dutch coach

 
Davidde Corran Columnist

By , 27 Mar 2010 Davidde Corran is a Roar Expert

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Socceroo's coach Pim Verbeek chats with Harry Kewell during a training session at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, Thursday, June 19, 2008. The Socceroo's take on China in a World Cup qualifying match this Sunday, June 22. AAP Image/Dean Lewins

I nearly fell off my chair the other morning when I read some of the responses to the news that Frank Rijkaard had been approached by Football Federation Australia for the Socceroos coaching job after the World Cup.

It would seem that some within the Australian football community are concerned by the notion that FFA are only considering Dutch applicants for the Socceroos’ managerial position.

That idea is as ridiculous as it is depressing and I’m feeling some jingoistic undertones amongst these sentiments.

For starters, who cares if FFA does hire a Dutch coach?

If the coach is good enough, then it shouldn’t matter where they came from. While there has been some debate over the Socceroos’ style under current manager Pim Verbeek, Dutch appointments have hardly led Australian football astray (Rob Baan might have sat on a nice salary, but at least his biggest ill was wasting our time).

Football is a contact game.

Despite its professional status and all the money within the sport, globally, the hiring process tends to veer between “helping out mates” and political manoeuvrings.

Just like with everything else, I suppose.

What this means, though, is that most of the contacts Football Federation Australia are going to have easy access to, thanks to our recent history, will be Dutch.

The Age’s redoubtable Michael Lynch wrote on Wednesday that: “The game’s governing body has pledged to ”look in every corner of the world” for the best available coach, and the prospect of another foreigner – quite possibly of orange hue – looms large, especially as FFA boss Ben Buckley confirmed this week that Verbeek would be sounded out about possible successors. Given the way the FFA has structured the local game it’s hard to see how it has much alternative.”

It’s a point I’d disagree with.

Just because FFA is basing its youth development system on the “classic Dutch” 4-3-3 doesn’t necessitate that the Socceroos coach also hails from the Netherlands.

The whole point of teaching our youths the 4-3-3 system is because it is so adaptable. Therefore, the Socceroos coach doesn’t have to be of orange hue.

So let’s not get caught up in unnecessary discussion and focus on what’s best for the future of the Socceroos – a top quality coach. Where that person was born is hardly relevant.

Meanwhile, Rijkaard being linked with the Socceroos job is good news for Australian football.

While it would be nice to have a local coach leading our national team, there is no doubt that Australia doesn’t have a home grown candidate who is ready yet.

In fact, there won’t be one for at least another World Cup cycle if not longer.

So Frank Lowy’s interest in Riijkard, who is on a very tidy salary in Turkey, means the Australian billionaire is willing to spend big to bring in a high-class name.

The link between former Socceroos assistant manager Johan Neeskans and Riijkard also shows that FFA are thinking in detail about this appointment. It won’t be rushed and it will be well considered.

Personally I have concerns about Riijkard’s lax stance on discipline during his time as Barcelona manager, but while it might not work out, FFA’s contact with Riijkard is a promising sign for the Socceroos.

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