How times change. That’s the phrase that comes to mind when reading, listening and watching the discourse surrounding the current search for a new Socceroos coach.
Why that phrase? If we cast our minds back to the heady days of 2005 and recall the climate of the time, the Socceroos were the bedrock upon which the game was built.
The A-League was developed as part of a major reform, but there was no question the A-League was second fiddle to the main act.
Then-FFA CEO Jon O’Neill said as much in his now often quoted ‘rainmaker’ commentary on the state of power relations within the football fraternity at the time.
There is now an utter irony of the fact that Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold were two men hounded out of the national set-up in ignominy, and now are being heavily touted as the men desperately needed to save the Socceroos from humiliation.
This reveals one of the first power-shifts to occur; the esteem in which these two coaches are held has found salvation and been transformed through their respective A-League clubs.
One image which sticks in my mind was the scene at the end of the Adelaide United versus Melbourne Victory match, of Ange Postecoglu geeing up the healthy contingent of highly jubilant Melbourne fans who had once again made their way to Adelaide.
The panelists of ABC’s ‘Offsiders’ program presumed this may be Ange’s way of saying ‘goodbye’, as Gerard Whately put it, presumably before be moves onto ‘bigger and better things’ as the Socceroos job is presumed to be.
Perhaps that will prove to be correct, however the scenes hint at much more as to what is occurring within the game’s power structure.
Part of the answer lies in the fans themselves.
That is to say that such scenes – usually featuring the team’s players and the fans – are becoming an increasingly regular (and even exclusive) feature that emphasises the distinction between the A-League and the Socceroos and points to the power shift in fans’ focus.
This difference was all too clear earlier in the year, as the atmosphere at Oman qualifier in February and the all-important June World Cup qualifiers versus Jordan and Iraq was a pale imitation of the atmosphere and vibrancy found at many A-League games.
Central Coast versus Western Sydney match in Round 1, along with the Adelaide versus Melbourne and Western Sydney versus Wellington fixtures in Round 2, are good examples.
Perhaps this is why, in the midst of the nation facing the concern of not qualifying for the 2014 World Cup, FFA CEO David Gallop felt confident to say not qualifying “wouldn’t be a disaster as far as the round-ball code in Australia was concerned.”
Where fan trends lead, other trends follow.
Free-to-air coverage of the A-League is something of a watershed moment for football, so the ratings trends of SBS in particular will be interesting to follow.
The ratings for the inaugural free-to-air match between Sydney FC and Newcastle Jets garnered an audience of 166,000 metropolitan viewers and 243,000 overall when we consider regional viewers.
Initial reports trickling out at the time of writing suggest the Adelaide versus Melbourne fixtures garnered similar numbers.
While this pales in comparison to the 1.5 million who watched the Socceroos qualify for the 2014 World Cup on free-to-air, the national team matches are generally one-off matches, whereas A-League games are achieving their ratings on a week-to-week basis and are regular season games.
How free-to-air fares for much-anticipated marquee fixtures, such as derby games and finals matches, would prospectively compare to the ratings for many of the Socceroos’ matches.
Of course none of this even begins to scratch the surface of the potential benefits of the A-League clubs competing in the AFC Champions League if that competition continues to refine itself and can realise its lucrative potential.
So what will be next?
There is still a feeling the FFA look upon the A-League as a reserve pool of sorts that is there to support its main Socceroos act.
The FFA have named the candidates and while haggling over compensation is expected, the clubs are nevertheless expected to fall in line.
But the scenes of Ange Postecoglu in front of the adoring masses of Melbourne fans, comments attributable to Graham Arnold and the seas of red and black that decorated Pirtek stadium on the weekend hint at slow change in the football power-dynamic.
It is hard not to feel it is now very much a case of the FFA needing the coaches (presumably as an ‘economic’ option) and the Australian coaches in question don’t necessarily need to be within the FFA set-up in order to advance their careers.
I wonder about the day when a top Australian coach decides that the damage to their reputation in taking over a job riddled with the dangers of being ‘set up to fail’ is not worth it.
Additionally, the A-League clubs may fall into line this time if an Australian coach does indeed get the nod, but surely the day is not far off when, in a similar scenario, the FFA get the ‘Crystal Palace treatment’ from increasingly powerful ‘franchises’ that aren’t afraid to assert their increasing power relative to that of the FFA.
j binnie
Guest
jamesb -yes times are a changin but your assertion about the 2001 GF played in Sydney drawing a poor crowd could bring into perspective why the NSL was dying.You see the following crowds were registerd to other Grand Finals from that era, 2003 -38,000 in Perth, 2002- 42737 in Perth, 2000 - 43442 in Perth, and 1997 40146 in Brisbane. Was the fact that the NSL was being run by power brokers in Sydney & Melbourne a reason for it's demise??????. jb.
j binnie
Guest
Towser - Are you intentionally trying to confuse my brain. You said your "allegiance was slowly transferring to Roar". I simply said that was understandable my reference to the long term future of the game was simply based on the fact that your interest was slowly being moved from the very top of the pyramid to the second level,our HAL, & it would be nice if everyone's interest could be maintained on both levels. No slight intended jb
Towser
Guest
jb Firstly I agree with your sentiments about the National teams at all levels as I indicated above by my disappointment in recent performances,but for the life of me I haven't a clue what your talking about when you say "your gradual interest into local football is quite understandable,but for the long term future of the overall game it can’t be said to be good."
j binnie
Guest
Towser - Fully understand where you are coming from but as a student of the game you have to admit that from the advent of the HAL we haven't exactly set the heather alight on the national scene at all levels. There has been a few "good" results but all in all we have witnessed a decline in our standing in world rankings at all levels of national football.Is there a reason for that decline???? I'll leave that to others for I have my own opinions some of which could be described as ultra-radical but the truth is that nothing much has changed as this latest sacking/hiring of national identities goes to prove. Nothing has really changed & so.as I did spell out, your gradual interest into local football is quite understandable,but for the long term future of the overall game it can't be said to be good. jb
j binnie
Guest
Ian -The poblem facing Ange today is nothing compared to anything he has had to face up to before at any time of his career. You say he can't say "no" & with that observation I heartily agree. Personally I have nothing against Ange being made Socceroo coach but my experience in life tells me there is a place & time for everything & in this case it is the actions of the FFA's decision makers that I cannot come to terms with, for 8 months is not a long time in football ,& to put that onus on a relatively young coach is in my eyes almost criminal,not only are they putting the reputation of the Socceroos to a more dangerous area than it is at present ,but even worse they are gambling with the reputation of their nominee, a relatively young man, who, given reasonable time could probably make a difference but --------8 months with a totally dis-organised Socceroo team beset by huge problems, what are his real chances of meaningful success???. I wish him well ,but you will excuse me if I am just a bit worried by the circumstances he now finds himself in.We can but hope jb .
Towser
Guest
Well jb I can only speak for myself, but I've slowly been transferring allegiance to the Roar over the 9 years of the A-League. I still retain a strong interest in the Socceroos & am disappointed with results recently at at all levels of International football,but its not the be & and end all for me nowadays,the Roar takes precedence. WIll not disagree though that, for others that may not be the case.
jamesb
Guest
In the past, the old NSL didn't have anywhere near the attention that the A-league has now. I'll give you an example: NSL grand final was played at Parramatta stadium in 2001. The game featured the Wollongong Wolves v South Melbourne. The mighty Wolves won 2-1, in front of just 13,402 spectators. Also the game was played at 12 midday on channel 7, just so that it could fit in the schedule before an AFL match. Fast forward to 2013. The A-league has a round 2 match at Parramatta, the same venue. It is WSW versus a kiwi side, Wellington. The game attracted 16,294 fans, and was played at prime time (5pm to 7pm). I rest my case. Towards the end, the NSL was dying. Therefore, football fans needed something to cling on, which was following the Socceroos. Today there isn't a need to cling on the Socceroos This weekend, for a round 3 game, we could have a 40,000 fans for the Sydney derby. In past the only time the NSL got 40,000 was a GF at Perth. times they are a changin
Ian
Guest
Interesting, but say at Brisbane at the end of 2010 he may have limited abilties to do anything but a few players were dispatched end of season. A few recruited - but you can't tell if they are going to become a great squad. Broich wasn't a household name, or Berisha the next year. So that all depended on scouts and recruiting. He can devise a game plan and use what's available in the best possible way. and may have ideas of other players not on the radar that can do the job. Tough gig anyway. But you can't really say no as not many get the opportunity.
Alex
Guest
NUFCMVFC I think it's all relative, the popularity, or lack thereof, of a league influences how well supported it is compared to the NT. Think of teams like Belgium, Holland and even smaller nations like Wales and Ireland. Their national teams are far more popular than the domestic league purely because they are of a much higher standard with better football on offer
Alex
Guest
NT, otherwise we may get into a situation where there are club coaches better than international ones
Midfielder
Guest
In addition JB ...AP has always had on paper the best or near best squad in the league something he won't have as the coach of the Socceroos
j binnie
Guest
Towser. Put yourself in AP's,or GA.s or TP's, shoes and pose yourself the question, if the carrot is dangled in front of you would you refuse,or,being maybe a bit more cynical, can you afford to refuse,even if you think it is neither the time nor the place?????' The present situation almost mirrors exactly what happened to Frank Farina . With almost no meaningful coaching experience at club level behind him,he was offered the Socceroos job. Just think for a minute for you've been around,could he refuse,????? We all know the outcome of that inspired appointment.Sins of the father revisited??? jb
j binnie
Guest
Towser & NUFCMVFC- Now you two know I normally agree with every word you write & therefore put you on the same train of thought as myself, but ------- & it's a huge but, I have to ask you both a question, where would your feelings lie if three weeks ago the Socceroos had gone to Brazil & sneaked a draw, or managed a close win against France, before "thrashing) Canada by 6 or 7 goals,.It is all a matter of perspective.When the Socceroos (or even our women's & Under Age teams) are on a downer, the natural thing to happen is that long suffering fans are attracted to the local football. However here in Australia it is imperative, that with our ever growing interest in football,the head of the pyramid ,the Socceroos, are performing well at their level otherwise the potential of a whole new group of people who are attracted by a national team's performance remain lost to our game & thus to our true fans who wish "growth of interest" to continue to expand. Cheers jb
Midfielder
Guest
I mean from MV ... not from AP...
Midfielder
Guest
NUFCMVFC Whats the crowd looking like for Friday night...
Towser
Guest
Simple answer,if offered the job,wherever his heart takes him.
Midfielder
Guest
An interesting follow up question ... if the A-League is more important than the Sopcceroos where is the best place for AP...
mahonjt
Guest
The ballance is shifting - no question. That is not to say that it HAS shited, or that the rise and fall of the NT over the long term won't mean that the Socceroo's increase in relevance (in a commercial, political sense) from time to time - just that the 'bread and butter' of our football culture and economy is rightly the domain of the national league with the NPL / FFA Cup overtime to further entrench the centrality of club football. At the moment this shift is more a function of MVFC's ballance sheet and the fact that this TV deal is the one that positions our sport or growth - but it does not deliver that growth. Hard yeards ahead yet!
Mike
Roar Guru
That's right. If you have a hobby or passion, it needs to be in your life regularly. That's why clubs have such strong followings. I didn't bother waking up for the Australia Vs Canada match. However, if it was Melbourne Victory Vs a Euro club, I'd be wide awake. This is another reason why we can hopefully one day have four berths in the ACL.
NUFCMVFC
Roar Guru
Pretty much for me, generally speaking it was just about NUFC > England What I find interesting is that with the English team, there seems to be a lot of lower league fans who are right into it most prominently, as it is their chance to cheer on world class players and make big trips they don't get at club level My impression is that big English club fans like a Man Utd etc are not so much interested,mad they get to cheer on world class players week in week out and make euro trips all the time As for Australia, it is very much a case of MVFC > Socceroos now which is why I prefer Ange in front of club rather than country I think a lot has to do with the friendships, you are with people on a week to week basis enjoying the football with the club, it's results are at the fore-front of your mind, I am friends with people in GGArmy and foreign trips are great but it is rather irregular so annual away trips to Adelaide and SFC but now WSW are more regular and a more economic way of having fun to say the least