Successful international coaches need a wealth of qualities to be properly equipped for the job. One quality in particular has been highlighted in the events surrounding several national teams.
France is already back in its homeland, having imploded under the reign of Raymond Domenech. The manager had hardly been a popular figure during his six-year tenure in charge, despite a brief respite of pressure when he guided Les Bleus to the final of the 2006 World Cup.
He was already set to depart after the World Cup, but Domenech would have surely been given the flick anyway after his side exited the tournament at the group stage.
Domenech and his coaching staff lost complete control of the squad following the 2-0 loss to Mexico, sparked by a decision to send striker Nicolas Anelka home for reportedly calling his coach a “dirty son of a whore”.
Of course, Domenech has plenty of company in his falling out with Anelka, also known as ‘Le Sulk’.
Just ask Vicente del Bosque or most Arsenal fans.
But what happened next was best described as “an appalling soap opera” by French foreign minister Bertrand Kouchner. First, the whole squad walked off the training track.
The players then composed a statement, which they forced Domenech to read.
It was hardly surprising that the side meekly bowed out of the tournament just a few days later.
And after refusing to shake the hand of South African counterpart Carlos Pareira when France’s fate was sealed, it is also difficult to muster any sympathy for Domenech.
Nor are the French alone in experiences problems from within. The English tabloids were sent into overdrive when
John Terry undermined just about everyone in his press-conference comments about life inside the England camp, while bad-tempered Sulley Muntari is only reportedly still part of Ghana’s squad thanks to the intervention of Black Stars skipper Stephan Appiah.
Even the Socceroos were forced to hose down rumors of their own internal unrest after the 4-0 defeat to Germany.
All of the above illustrates why managers need more than just tactical nous to succeed. Man management is just as crucial.
The World Cup is considered by many to be the globe’s greatest sporting event; an aligning of the stars every four years.
Of course, the more highly paid the sportsman, the bigger the ego is likely to be. You only need to look at the NBA for further proof.
There has long been talk of several senior Socceroos not getting along, but there would be few teams in South Africa without their small rifts and fissures.
A good manager will still be able to get all the egos working in the same direction.
It is no doubt a key factor in the thinking of Football Federation Australia’s decision makers as they ponder Pim Verbeek’s successor.
Should they need it, the drama of the World Cup in South Africa serves as a timely reminder.
Luke10
Guest
There are only 32 coaches at the world cup and Lowy thinks that our new coach will come from that pool. Why are we limiting ourselves to 1 in 32 ? Who says that the current batch of coaches are the best to select from? I think the FFA is limiting its search and is foolish to do so. Paul Le Guen is a bad choice for Australia! He has done nothing for Cameroon ( I understand you cannot do much in 5 months) except direct them through qualification. He is temperamental, rash and has had no extensive international coaching experience. The MUST be better coaches out there.
Wug
Guest
Although in hindsight, Pim has had some success, I think it is vital that our next coach look at our style of play and factor that into any team selection. Go Aussies
Realfootball
Guest
MacDonald did play along side Kennedy in the qualifiers - once, against Qatar at Suncorp. The Roos won 4-0. Needless to say, Verbeek didn't do it again. The shock of scoring 4 goals was too much for him. He felt quite unwell and had to have a liedown.
whiskeymac
Guest
cheers. am feelin' educated =)
dasilva
Roar Guru
Well he was coached of Argentina between 1998-2004 He breezed through qualifiers topping the group playing some scintillating football. However the team flopped at the world cup. However he did lead Argentina to win the Olympics in 2004 At club level Won the Primera division with Newell's Old Boys back in early 90s Never coached in Europe though. It would be an interesting choice and if we want someone to develop youths, he seems to be an good choice. Although they may be some cultural difference that may be an issue.
cruyff turn
Roar Rookie
Bielsa coached Argentina from 1998-2004, getting knocked out in the first round at 2002, but winning gold at the 2004 Olympics. Like you mention, Fozz has fallen hard for this guy, and has written a blog on why he could be the next coach. Bielsa would encourage an attacking style, which goes hand-in-hand with our willingness to have a crack, but he would get us playing "smarter" when we have the ball. And with a group of young players destined to come through, they need to be educated by someone like this. Imagine what he could do if he got hold of boys like Kantarovski, Leckie, Oar and so on? We don't need a coach who can kick heads or keep egos in check. The Socceroos team ethic will always override anyone getting too big for his boots. Instead, we need a coach who can nurture the next generation. Bielsa has a great track record working with young players, he seems like the man.
Al
Guest
David Healy from Northern Ireland is the curious oddity here, could not stop scoring for his national team during the 06 World Cup Qualifying campaign and especially in the Euro 08 qualifiers, scoring a late winner against England, a hat-trick against Spain and a brace against Sweden in the process. He broke Davor Suker's goal scoring record in Euro Qualifications yet he could hardly get a start for Leeds at the time who were a League 2 club and then for Fullham when his former national team manager, Lawrie Sanchez signed him up.
zizou
Roar Rookie
He coached Argentina in the 2002 World Cup where they crashed out at the group stage. Will be hard to tempt away from Chile if he takes them further into the tournament.
whiskeymac
Guest
was thinking the same if its to be a WC coach. has Biesla done anything pre WC - does anyone know? TBH i havent heard of him before. altho i note people like Fozzie have started fondling his vuvuzelas over 2 impressive group games against Switzerland and someoneelse.
whiskeymac
Guest
although tbh there have been many prolific club strikers who havent got going at an international level fr whatever reason - C Ronaldo; I an Wright and even dare i say it Viduka.... i keep hoping that Macca will come good and gets another chance.
RobD
Guest
Parreira! A world cup winner. Vast amounts of experience in international football all over the world. An attacking philosophy. Ticks all the the boxes.
zizou
Roar Rookie
If he takes Chile well into the tournament it may be hard to tempt him from the job. I do however believe he is on the short list.
Davstar
Guest
Marcelo Bielsa (chiles coach) players attacking footbal and knows how to raise a young squad which Australia will have next world cup. I think he would be the best man for the job who we could afford and acquire
Al
Guest
McDonald can't play as a lone striker the way he has been set out to do at international level, at Celtic he has been paired up with the likes of Samaras/V.Of Hessilink, and needs to play alongside a targetman. I would have liked to have seen him play alongside Kennedy during the qualifiers. I would also love to see the end of playing two defensive midfielders, as soon as Holman came on this morning we looked far more dynamic and threatening going forward.
Towser
Guest
Will be interesting to see how soon Mcdonald is accepted back into the fold by a new coach. Although I've seen many examples of club players performing at that level failing at International level, I cant see how( given that Mcdonald is easily the most prolific scorer, albeit in the SPL previously) he cannot score at International level. He always looks lost to me & rarely involved. We dont have the depth therefore luxury of quality proven strikers to ignore Mcdonald. Surely coaches regardless of their systems & coaching ideology see if a player can do a job at club level,therefore why not at International level
Luke10
Guest
I think Whiskeymac any WC experience is a good thing for Australia. Getting thumped by the Germans, while painful is better than a hiding from say a Nth Korea. That game in Durban will now be used as an example for generations of Socceroos to come. The game against Germany will forever be a powerful lesson to us that despite our successes in qualifying, when it comes to the WC every game needs to be played like it will be our last. Watching the game last night, you could feel that desperation and passion coming from the players. They chased, pressured and closed better. The guys were playing to win rather than being stifled in a formation which did not suit their abilities. If anything, I hope the next coach of the Socceroos is flexible and focuses on developing a side and tactics around the players, rather than saying, this is my style, if you guys cant fit with it bad luck. Who is better at playing the the role of a striker with 2 up-front? Kennedy, Cahill or McDonald? Leaving out McDonald was a monumental blunder. In today's modern game you need to be able to adapt and change formation to suit a given situation. Its a lesson for FFA as well. What style of football, as a nation do we want to play? Can the new coach deliver that style?
Towser
Guest
A difficult decision IMO. PIm chose the safe & steady road to qualification to the World & Asian Cups. He was succesful. He had mixed results at the World cup. He didnt risk developing players,so we are at a crossroads as the Asian cup is looming. What is more important for the game to win the Asian Cup(in which case any new coach wont take risks also) or to use it as a platform to rebuild with an aim to qualifying & competing at the 2014 WC? Can you do both?
Aka
Guest
Han Berger has said that they are looking for a coach that has proven to be able to build (or rebuild) a side over time, They will not be after, say, a Hiddink type that is more suited to getting quick results.
The Bear
Guest
I think we slipped up against Ghana, as well. Regardless of the Kewell Debacle, we had so many shots at goal that a decent striker is what we craved. We lost that game tho in midfield especially with Culina at LM, should have been Chippers/Carney.
Al
Guest
I agree, Eriksson was an excellent manager at club level, specifically in Italy however hasn't done much at the international level, the 2002 World Cup with England was probably the most success he has had at international level. Le Guen hasn't done much anywhere.