Back at the 2007 Asian Cup, Graham Arnold, then the interim Socceroos coach, gave a post match interview after a game in Bangkok, Thailand, which nailed the lid shut on any aspirations he might have had for a move to permanent status as the Socceroos’ head coach.
On Monday in London, Lucas Neill committed the same career suicide with a similar interview.
I’ll assume most people reading this would have seen and heard what the Australian captain said in London on the eve of the Socceroos clash with Canada.
It was an interview borne out of a so-called “siege mentality”, similar to what Arnold was no doubt experiencing in Thailand six years ago.
What was most surprising about the interview was that Neill gave it in the first place.
Putting aside his recent on-field form, Lucas Neill has conducted himself off the field impeccably as the captain of our national team.
He is well-spoken, considered in his response to questions, diplomatic to a fault, and a foil for his team mates if they were under pressure.
I’ve been an admirer of his for many years.
On the field, the cracks and doubts have started to appear with the unforgiving march of time, but as recently as our last qualifying campaign, Neill still offered enough to make his central defensive position relatively secure.
But today’s interview has exposed Neill as a man unravelling.
It has almost instantly created a chasm between the “old guys” (his words) and the young guys.
If it was supposed to be a motivational talk to try and inspire the younger brigade, I fear it will fail spectacularly.
Neill himself reiterated the struggles he faced to scrap and fight his way into the Socceroos picture. He surely cannot believe that the so-called “younger guys” have it any easier.
Do Mustafa Amini, Tom Rogic, Mat Ryan or Tommy Oar, just to name a few, have some kind of easy ride to the famous gold shirt?
Are they doing it easy? No, I don’t think so.
They are treading the same path as Neill, working their butts off to try and establish themselves at overseas clubs, trying to break into the first team and from there the Socceroos.
I doubt any one of them feel they have some kind of entitlement to a Socceroos shirt. yet that is EXACTLY the attitude Neill himself conveyed in his interview – one of entitlement.
With a new Socceroos boss to be named soon, and it looking more likely to be a present A-League coach, there will surely be a desire to blood youngsters in the little time left between now and Brazil.
Just how will those players feel having their desire, their dreams of playing for the Socceroos, questioned by their captain?
Especially one whose recent form as the on-field leader of the country’s football team have yielded awful thrashings.
If ever there was a time to keep a low profile and try to convince an increasingly dubious football family with on-field leadership in the upcoming game against Canada, this was it.
Neill’s interview would make a perfect case study in what not to say in the circumstances he and the Socceroos find themselves in.
And to call into question comments made by Mark Bosnich (who said Neill should have retired after the qualifying campaign) on the basis of assuming Bosnich is a friend is a staggeringly bad look.
If your friends can’t tell you, who can?
The last thing Neill needs to do is be drawn into personal vendettas – he even suggested that himself, before plunging in and doing exactly that.
It took Graham Arnold six years and a lot of hard work to re-establish himself as a coach worthy of consideration for the country’s top job.
Unfortunately, Lucas Neill doesn’t have that long.
Griffo
Roar Guru
That would be a good interview... ...who do you think could ask the appropriate questions?
apaway
Roar Guru
Well, Mid, he was appointed over seven years ago and we are not performing at all well at youth level. There is the national curriculum, a good working blueprint. But surely, if our problem is that there are no good young players coming through, Han Berger might need to answer some questions as to why.
Midfielder
Guest
Apaway Han Berger ... are you saying he took his eye of the development of our top youth ...
apaway
Roar Guru
Stratty Frank Arok? Well, that'd amp up the team spirit! The era of the Mad Dog returns!
apaway
Roar Guru
Fadida and co, In my mind, there's a guy called Han Berger who has a lot to answer for.
apaway
Roar Guru
It was anything but easy, Doc. I'm a long-time admirer of Lucas Neill but this was not the time or the place to make the kind of speech he did. He painted that bullseye you referred to on his own forehead. Had he not made that speech, we wouldn't be discussing it.
kylesy sky blues fan
Guest
Well Sainsbury is ready and willing to go in CB, what exactly do you have against him taking his rightful place? And within 12 months I want to see Donachie in the side getting caps as well.
kylesy sky blues fan
Guest
You're kidding, right? We have several faster, more ahtletic, better ball-playing and more suited young Centre-Backs coming through just begging for their chance (Sainsbury, Donachie, Anderson for an immediate start) and Lucas is still there choking up the spine of the team with negative football and oil-leagues level mediocrity.
Stratty
Guest
Lucas pulled out the classic line "my words were twisted" when interviewed post match by Fox Sports' Daniel Garb, saying he just wanted to resurrect some pride in the jersey, which applied to young and old players! What a load of crap! If I copped 2 back to back thrashings and my skipper publicly blamed a portion of the team, I'd be filthy! And pleeease, not Graham Arnold. Ange or Poppa (or some smokey's being Frank Arok or Francis Awaratife ;)
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Great insights, apaway. 100% agree.
fadida
Guest
Tell me Atti, there are a number of people saying "it's not Holger's fault" as if the role/influence of the coach is actually irrelevant, and that it is soley the quality of players that determine results. Do you think this is true? And if so why have a coach at all? Sorry, Holger must accept blame as he has failed to move past his core of players who aren't up to it. He also chose the "tactics" as has failed miserably to organise the side. If it wasn't for injuries to his favourites, Oar and Kruse wouldn't have become regular starters. Yes, we can't "blame Holger" for our technical standards, but if players aren't making an effort as you suggest, and the team don't seem to follow a plan, well that's down to the coach
Punter
Guest
Sorry, but have to totally disagree. Hiddink said even in 2006 that Australian players lacked technical & skill, but liked our winning mentality & used that to nearly beat the world champion of that year. Now even with our golden generation we suffered from this technical deficiency. So this is not an excuse. Yes we have not produced players during this campaign as compared to the golden generation, so if the coach is not partly to blame who is? However, if Australia's new spinner in cricket is not as good as Shane Warne in his heyday, does that mean we continue to play Shane Warne even if he is way past his best, no we try to groom the best we have now to be the best they can be. This is the role of the coach. So in summary, maybe today's defenders are not as good as Neill in his heyday, but I can assure you that we have defenders today that are better than Neill is now, so the natural progression should have happened awhile back.
Atti Abonyi
Guest
2 true tests against 2 of the better sides in the world and yes, poor results, but really true examinations of where we are at. I don't believe Neill is probably up to the standard anymore, but then do you throw all the experience out of this side? Facts are it's going to be a very difficult WC 2014, and if you chop Neill who do you play at central defense. People have suggested Jedinak ,but as far as I am concerned you do not take a midfielder & play him in defense, you are weakening one area to attempt to fill a problem in another. Any good coach will tell you that's bad practice. Facts are Australia aren't producing the talent pool required as in yesteryear otherwise Lucas Neill would be gone by now by natural progression, but Holger Osieck took the blame for a number of players(not just Neill) who did not perform up to the level required. Poor passing, poor technical positioning, lack of effort. None of these are Holger's fault, some personal responsibility is required. Chipperfield, Lazaridis, Cahill and a number of others have said that the scapegoating of Holger is a disgrace but I am sure you won't hear about it as it doesn't fit in with the agenda of the likes of Slater, Foster and a number of others, and it's all too easy to blame the coach for players technical & skill deficiencies.
Doc
Roar Rookie
Classic case of heroes loving to bring a man down with them when something goes wrong. Everybody wants to fire a shot off, and Lucas has a bullseye right on his forehead. Easy journalism.
Jukes
Guest
Believe me when I say even Stevie Wonder can see Lucas Neill has to go.
apaway
Roar Guru
Scott, your experience with the Carlingford Redbacks qualifies you absolutely to dissect Lucas Neill's recent form. :)
midfielder
Guest
Me thinks Lucas is about to play his last game as a Socceroo.... He does appear to be loosing it ..
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
I know I only played for the Carlingford Redbacks and as an analysts rugby league is my game, but as a spots nut I am astounded that Lucas Neil is not only still playing for Australia now, but for the last 2 World Cups. He is slower than a wet week and has been for years now. Whats the problem? Cannot these highly paid O/S coaches see that? Not only should he go but the people who were too gutless to flick him should also go.
Greg
Guest
Neill has been a good captain and an important player since 2006, but he needs to call it quits now. He will be sacked if he does not leave now. I have real reservations about GA too, based solely upon his poor work in 2007 as you mention (and his ineffective work in the 10 min utes he played when we were 2-2 against Iran and going out on away goals). Best give it to Poppa and keep our fingers crossed his club coaching translates to the NT. Just concerned he might be too close to the 2006 guys we now need to stop selecting.
emile
Guest
Lucash has done us all a favour. He was a corpse swinging in the wing, waiting for someone to cut him down. Thank god, he managed to do it himself.