Osieck said to be on Sydney FC shortlist

It follows the trend? Farina a former national team coach who was sacked. Arnold or Osieck both dumped national managers also.

He was quoted as saying that there are not enough coaching gigs in the A-League to be able to knock back a position at the Jets, and both sets of fans would understand that. I think it might be more than money (although I don't think we are that financial unfortunately) with Sydney. Plenty of scope if they get their hands on the land for their COE, higher profile to reap the rewards and make another tilt overseas in a few seasons, more resources and not afraid to use them (eg: getting ADP), having the control to do things his way. In saying that, I'd laugh and I would laugh if Sydney announce Holger, but can't see it happening...

Seems a mute point now Franko, but it is the reason it is only a couple of important games that both roles would have worked...not that it would have been an ideal situation for either side. Anyway Jets have pulled the pin; it's Clacka time for us, unless the Jets dangle the 'Holger, improve your tan on Mereweather Beach' carrot...

It's simple Fadida, locally from those available we will take Arnold. But this is a very underwhelming choice from a WW search. I would much rather an unproven ADP. However, would prefer a European or a sth American.

Exactly Dave, who was once, you probably overheard me saying I would rather not have the results & have a plan, then fluke the results & play that terrible brand of football we had to put with under Frank.

A truly uninspiring choice if SFC decide to go down the Holger route. We all saw the football that he was producing. Towards the end of his tenure if I can quote Robbie Slater "It was crap". Just look at the so called inexperienced head coaches in the league and it should point to who they should choose. Choose the big blue man - Mark Rudan.

I think you made an important point there FD , Okon as coach has done poor service for his charges in previous competitions-similar story -lots of long balls , ineffective passing and poor penetration -big mistake to leave him in charge of the juniors when he has repeatedly failed as a coach on the world stage

What are you talking about? You sill upset about Farin?

Hmm, I'm not sure about that. I think if they can hang onto the existing back line and supposing Grant can come back to full fitness. i wouldn't mind a coach who likes the counter maybe a 5 3 2. or 3 5 2. How are Trapattoni's sides set up these days? I did hear he was in the mix at one stage?

AAP copy is normally pretty clean but this story is an exception _ and the atrocities have gone straight through to the keeper. That aside, Arnie looks to be firming as the favourite to take over at SFC. As an SFC member since season 2 of the A-League, I acknowledge that he is probably the best candidate among those available. But I find it hard to get excited about the prospect that he will take over.

So JonJax, you'd choose over Arnold; Okon - unproven even at NT junior level, Edwards - sacked at strugglers Glory, poor, negative football, Rudan - totally unproven beyond state league level? Arnold - 3 top 2 finishes in succession. Grand final winners last season. Promotes youth and develops them quickly (Sainsbury, Ryan). Recruits quality players at good prices (Patrick Z, McGlinchey). Exceptional organisation and defensive structure. Experienced but still young enough to improve (unlike Osieck). Consistent results. If SFC don't find a marquee manager then Arnold is the man. I'd kill to have him at the Jets. He is the perfect manager to develop a club, in a salary capped league. That's why he is rightly a "usual suspect" and twice the coach Farina is. But you'd choose Alistair Edwards? Rudan would be a fine assistant, while Okon is an unknown quantity and high risk.

Iberian #6 - Xavi? South American #10 - Diego Forlan? Marquee #9 - Didier Drogba? An imaginative manager - Me, surely, if I can imagine up those names! (though the name "Hiddink" keeps popping up in my head...)

JonJax I think Manuel is an excellent choice. Basil the Rat could play holding midfield!

Fuss Spot on, the role of a national team coach is vastly different to that of a club coach/manager. A NT boss has players for short, intensive periods of time where they work closely almost 24/7. They are often using unfamiliar training facilities and run the team from a hotel boardroom. That is interspersed with long periods of NO direct coaching involvement - rather there is scouting of opponents and potential new recruits to the national team, meetings with individual players to discuss things likie injury recovery etc. The club coach role is very different. Less intensive for short periods but with a longer arc of involvement over a pre-season and season (as long as they don't get sacked). The ability to recruit to play to a pattern is greater and the fact that recruitment is possible is a major point of difference.

AGO74 I'm pretty sure all the fans believed in Pierre Littbarski. Shame his "reward" for winning the inaugural A-league title was to have his salary halved.

spot on Titus

I went along to Cromer Park and watched the young Socceroos (coached by Okon) vs Manly Utd last night. The socceroos dominated possession, but really lacked meaningful penetration for most of the game, only really having maybe 3 or 4 really dangerous moments, plus some long range shots. For what its worth I guess I wasn't really super impressed off that one showing. Not that i'd rely on my own judgement in this case, limited to one game of (high class) juniors vs a state league team, where most of the team was subbed in one go at about the 60min mark. I wouldn't call myself an expert by any means. Berger, Corica, and Ange were all there. Not that they wouldn't be expected to be there (except maybe corica).

There comes a time where managers lose their powers too. The great Aarigo Sacchi won back to back European Cups but was out of management at 58, following a string of poor performances. Despite winning the EPL, Kenny Dalglish is not a name on anyone's shortlist. Holger showed all the signs of a man in decline; increasingly conservative, negative and safe tactics and team selections, failing to change his methods

Yep got to add my agreement to AGO and Titus on this one. At the start of the season when SFC were leading the comp (or thereabouts) and Adelaide were struggling results wise I heard numerous conversations in the stands comparing Sydney unfavorably with Adelaide, despite the fact we had points on the table. The difference between what was happening (or not happening) at the two clubs was clear as day.

Regi Bomber, "no players in big demand from other clubs that they can sell for more money – just a bunch of average, unmotivated players". SFC need just three inspired hires- an Iberian # 6, a South American # 10 and a Marquee # 9. Most importantly "to light the blue touch paper", they need a manager with imagination- neither Osieck or Arnold could be described as "imaginative", IMO gormless on their best days.