A-League boss Damien de Bohun says the possible loss of two-time championship winning coach Ange Postecoglou to the Socceroos’ helm would only be a good thing for the league.
And he says the coming change in Socceroos coach should prove a huge spur for all Australian players in the A-League to push their case ahead of next year’s World Cup.
Melbourne Victory coach Postecoglou has firmed as a favourite to fill the national team job following German Holger Osieck’s sacking while Central Coast’s Graham Arnold is also considered a contender.
De Bohun feels it speaks volumes for the rising standard of the A-League that Postecoglou, Australia’s most successful domestic coach, and Arnold, who took the Mariners to championship glory last season, are being seriously considered to lead the Socceroos.
And he’s not concerned taking one of them away could have a negative impact on the league.
“The standard of coaching has improved dramatically over the seasons,” de Bohun said on Monday.
“So to have two of our coaches being mentioned very seriously in consideration to be the next national coach is a very exciting time and I think it only strengthens the league.
“There’s a lot of people waiting in the wings for coaching roles in the A-League and it may well create an opportunity if it went that way.”
Record numbers in crowd attendance and broadcast audiences were set in the opening round of the A-League.
And, while the Socceroos’ back-to-back 6-0 drubbings by Brazil and France have caused dismay for fans, de Bohun says it’s the A-League’s role to re-invigorate supporters.
“The A-League and the Socceroos really work hand in hand,” de Bohun said.
“When you look what’s happened with the national team and you put it in context of the big picture, we’ve qualified for the World Cup in Brazil.
“Obviously the preparations against two world-class teams have been difficult but there’s a time of change now; there’ll be a new coach in place.
“The other great thing from an A-League perspective is that with so much change, every player is going out there who’s Australian with an expectation that they are playing for a spot on that plane to Brazil.”
A record 100,998 fans flocked to the five matches in the opening round – the highest attendance in a single round – with the grand final replay between the Mariners and the Western Sydney Wanderers at Bluetongue Stadium sold out.
With Adelaide’s match against Victory at Hindmarsh on Friday also sold out and the first Sydney derby between Sydney FC and the Wanderers at Allianz Stadium on October 26 on track for a capacity crowd, de Bohun feels records will continue to tumble in this ninth edition of the competition.
“The fans are powering the game in a way that Australian football hasn’t seen before,” he said. “It has exceeded our expectations.
“This has been a great start … and we expect it to build from here.
“We do think sellouts will become quite common.”
Jukes
Guest
Well said JB, whoever takes the job will be damned if they do, damned if they dont. A poison chalice indeed. I think its vital that whoever gets the appointment that they clearly explain the criteria under which they operate. This means as a bare minimum a contract which includes coaching of the Asian cup side. It needs to be clear the expectations of the coach and the Australian side at the World Cup. People need to expect things to get worse before they get better, realistic performance criteria needs to be set. I had hopes of getting out of the group stage, right now I dont want us to get embarrassed. While it is vital we do as well as we possibly can at the World Cup its also important we have a good Asian Cup tournament particularly at home. A bad home tournament could undo all the good work that the FFA have done up until now and deflate all the momentum for football in Australia.
j binnie
Guest
After 26 comments,mostly sensible, discussing possible canditates for the Socceroo job one thing has emerged for sure,if this problem is to be solved in such a short time frame it is not going to be easy. De Bohun talks the talk all right like most people in his type of position do, but as late as this evening "the man" Frank Lowy has come out & said it's time we had an Australian coach. That worries me a lot more than De Bohun's forum speeches.citing crowds, the improved coaching standard, the improved standard of our local football.all tongue in cheek statements that people want to hear. The facts of the matter is that coaching a national team is totally different from managing a club side. Of the 3 nominated,all have done very well in their club endeavours over the last 1-3 years but when they have ventured into Asia,larger difficulties have shown to be in existence.but in this present scenario it is not the early stages of an Asian club competition we are talking about it is the cream of world football we will be playing.That is a huge difference. What have Ange,Graham,or Tony to gain if they accept this job.They inherit a group of players either at the end of their careers,others battling in what could be described as mid-range leagues,or kids with minimal experience in playing against the Riberies,the Sneiders,the Ronaldos of our game.To the other contributors put yourself in their position,would you accept this poisoned chalice or stay where you are helping to build a comprehensive local professional league???. Think carefully. Money could be used to tempt of course but it is my considered opinion that if we want a long term NATIONAL coach that is the last thing we need, a man motivated by dollars. So whereto for Mr Lowy & Co.??? He has actually been backed into a corner by the goings on,not of the last few weeks but the last 7 years & to be honest,in view of what he has accomplished I do feel just a little bit sorry for the man he deserves better. jb
Greg
Guest
I recall Arnie being hounded out off the job in 2007 after a miserable time at the Asian Cup. He may have improved since then. We really need a coach who can quickly select our best players. That coach needs to be ruthless in his approach. A number of seniors need to be shown the door immediately. Can any of AP, GA or TP do that? I would select TP, he put together a great new squad at WSW in short time, carefully selecting the right squad, and has renewed and improved the squad this year. Players seem to play for him, his side plays passionately, his substitutions during a match are the right calls and done without delay. My only question mark is can he stand up to Neil, Cahill and other senior players with whom he played in the past. Hopefully Neil is sacked by FFA before the new coach is appointed.
baanskis
Guest
Kewell, player/coach!! Bam!
fadida
Guest
For "immediate impact" see "spends tens of millions of pounds and club still gets relegated" :)
Steve
Guest
I tell you, Im seriously considering firing off my coaching resume too the FFA for the position of Socceroos Coach. I will happily do it for $1000 a week, I don't need a multi million dollar contract, I realise the FFA are skint so my wage demands wont be that much. My first point of business will be to sack Lucas Neill and the rest of the his clowns who think they have a god given right to be in the national team for as long as they see fit. My second point of business will be to phone every Australian eligible player playing in the Middle East and tell them that they wont be considered for the National Team whilst playing football there. Thirdly, introduce a youth policy immediately, with a view to the next Asian Cup in 2015 and the following World Cup qualification campaign for 2018. Finally, attack at all costs football will be the new philosophy for the National Team at Senior and Youth Levels. More to follow after my appointment as the new coach.
King Kong
Guest
He failed badly in the young socceroos managerial coaching duty. He has no Asian experience. He has no world cup experience. He should not be picked.
Franko
Guest
I don't think Redknapp is a brilliant manager by any stretch, and yes given the first opportunity he likes to sign many many players. But history has shown that he can join sides and have an immediate impact: When he took over Spurs in October 08 he guided a team in the relegation zone to wins over league leaders Liverpool away to Man City, the 4-4 with Arsenal and went on a 6 match unbeaten run. When he took over QPR in November 2012 they immediately went on a 4 match unbeaten run and later was able to snag victory against Chelsea and draws with Spurs and Man City. Immediate impact? Yes Plucky? Yes For the long term? No
my left foot
Guest
Yeah, might have been the asian experience, his english isn't the best as well, could have asked double what Osieck did (hindsight is nice, we will probably be paying that anyway now) and the conspiracy theory (Osieck was given the job to get the german vote to host the wc, it was open when we were bidding??).
fadida
Guest
Harry Redknapp? Surely you jest? His only way of working is to sign many players (hard internationally). He admits he doesn't do tactics either
fadida
Guest
Agree. Ange is fantastic but he'd need more time and games to implement his philipsophy (and we probably don't have enough of either). Arnold plays a game that is more similar to the type that most of the NT pool of players are familiar with, and his game is definitely easier to instill. I think Hiddink may have lost his "magic" and the hunger and energy required, though I'd be happy to be proven wrong
Franko
Guest
@mlf Wow, I had no idea. Perhaps didn't have the Asian experience they wanted at that time. Prime candidate for the WC though. Knows South America, had good experience in tournament football, hope we can get him.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Thanks mid That said, given the friction between FFV and vic clubs over implementation of NPLV I'm not sure if that is a plus or minus...
my left foot
Guest
When the job was up for grabs, he put his hand up. FFA chose Osieck.
my left foot
Guest
Great minds think alike and fools seldom differ! :) Bielsa, Jupp Hynkes, Hiddink, Arnie, in that order for me, I doubt Jupp would sign aboard though.
Franko
Guest
No doubt Bielsa is the leading candidate. I think a lot of people forget that not only has he coached Chile and Argentina at major tournaments but coaching Bilbao is almost like coaching a national side. You have a playing pool to chose from and have to do well with them, which he did. My only issue is that I can't see this guy coaching Australia. Every appointment he has had has been in the Spanish-speaking world. Why he would suddenly go to the Socceroos, I'd have no idea.
mahonjt
Guest
Arnie is my choice. It’s time for an Australian because we have some great coaches now. However, given the task of developing for the Asia Cup AS WELL AS putting on a decent performance at the World Cup - I think Arnie is best placed to ensure we do the latter. Ange's strengths are in club football IMO, and even as a NT manager, his strengths are long term squad and pathway development in orientation.
Mike
Roar Guru
As fun as that would be, the results might not work the way FFA would want them to. There are the hardcore football fans who know the ins and outs of the game, like many people on these forums. But then there are people who would just vote for their favourite, or someone they like, but who might not necessarily be right for the job. It's like any modern talent show on tv where people vote for the winner via sms. How many of them choose the coolest or best looking person instead of the most talented? :)
wisey_9
Roar Guru
I agree with you here. I'd suggest Bielsa has the wiliness to negotiate a difficult World Cup AND the vision to implement a proper 4 year plan afterwards...
Franko
Guest
Both Ange and Arnie have had a crack at coaching international sides, both were poor. Brilliant at club level where they are working with guys (often youngsters) day in day out developing them, but 8 months and a handful of games out, we don't have that luxury. As much as it pains me to say, at this stage, we need a motivator with some tactical nous, a wily old fox who can snatch a result, the Tim Cahill of coaching if you will. For this particular assignment we need a Harry Redknapp style manager to get us through the WC. Who knows, the lure of a WC may be enough to get him in on a short assignment? Straight after the tourney, appoint our man to take us through the next 4-6 years.