Socceroos don’t neccessarily need a Dutch coach
Columnist By Davidde Corran, 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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March 28th 2010 @ 1:22pm
David V. said | March 28th 2010 @ 1:22pm | Report comment
This discussion just shows how simplistic our football approach is- everything comes down to nationality as if it’s some kind of special marker to cast stereotypes in. We look more and more like an ignorant outpost than an aspiring football nation.
March 28th 2010 @ 4:28pm
Davstar said | March 28th 2010 @ 4:28pm | Report comment
It’s not secret that Brazil is good at football and countries like Sri Lanka aren’t what do you want from us? You learn from those who have the knowledge call it stereotyping but i think we’re doing ok
March 28th 2010 @ 11:15pm
David V. said | March 28th 2010 @ 11:15pm | Report comment
Nationality should not matter if players and coaches are proven well capable of doing the job. Unfortunately, in Australia, we have people intent on proving a point, so we are treated to stereotypes that will make our game here look like early 90s WWF.
March 29th 2010 @ 11:36am
Gibbo said | March 29th 2010 @ 11:36am | Report comment
and we all know that didnt get good until the late 90s!
March 29th 2010 @ 11:30am
Nacho said | March 29th 2010 @ 11:30am | Report comment
Michael Lynch is NOT redoubtable.
March 29th 2010 @ 9:11pm
Davidde Corran said | March 29th 2010 @ 9:11pm | Report comment
Its not his fault he’s a Tottenham fan!
May 26th 2010 @ 10:00am
Luke10 said | May 26th 2010 @ 10:00am | Report comment
I agree that Australia should not pigeon hole itself when it comes to a managers nationality. More to the point it is the managers ability, resources, background and desire to lead Australia to winning the Asian Cup and 2014 WC which is important. We all know that Pim was not Australia’s 1st pick for the job and it will be a hard sell to secure a manager like Rijkaard. There are far more lucrative and prestigious positions out there. For that reason limiting the number of candidates by nationality is in fact reducing the selection pool and that can only disadvantage the whole process of finding the best manager for Australia.
June 8th 2010 @ 12:37pm
George said | June 8th 2010 @ 12:37pm | Report comment
Greatest coach at the moment, Jose Mourinio plays a defensive structure which is very effective. Inter Milan would have never won the champions league if they played a beautiful game. It is great to develop youth with the dutch system. For the next 50 years anyway we will not be in the top 5 nations in the world and therefore we will have to hire a coach who plays boring, defensive but effective structure similar to Verbeeks formation. We cant go to a world cup playing 4-3-3 on the world stage any time soon. There are only 2-3 teams in the world (country or club) that can play this system with success. Bottom line is Australia is just not capable yet and an Italian style coach like Mourinio will bring the most successes to our national team in the short term. Dutch coaches just dont do it as a national coach, but rather as a youth technical director for our country.