For those who are yet to hear, former Australian coach Pim Verbeek has been very vocal in his almost disdain for Ange Postecoglou’s side.
Although I respect every man’s opinion, his recent comments are full of bitterness after he was removed as manager of the national side.
Verbeek made absolutely no secret of his dislike for blooding younger players, instead relying on the tried and tested, and sometimes past their best, players.
Verbeek came under a huge amount of fire after the nation’s humiliating performance against European powerhouses Germany.
Although not even the most optimistic fan expected the Roos to beat the Germans, the manner in which we were defeated frustrated the majority of fans.
The general feeling was that Pim had sent out a side that was defeated before a ball was even kicked, such were the lengths of his negative tactics.
For the Socceroos, who ended their campaign with a hard fought 2-1 victory over Serbia, the damage was well and truly done.
Verbeek, a Dutchman, has every right to believe his side will tear the Socceroos apart, after beating world champions Spain 5-1 in their opening game of the campaign.
He has no right to mockingly put his hand over his heart as the Aussie anthem plays.
He made multiple references to how “inexperienced’ the Australian side was, showing the trademark refusal to turn to younger players, insisting on picking an ageing squad, and outpaced, squad.
Many will argue, that although there were a few highlights during his tenure, that Verbeek’s time at the helm of the national side stunted future progress and development.
I myself see no argument for such a statement, as Verbeek flatly refused to turn to young players, and spent more time openly bagging the local A-League, rather than encouraging its development.
The difference between the reaction to Australia’s recent 3-1 loss to Chile, which has been extremely positive, compared to that of the 4-0 thumping at the hands of Germany four years ago, prove just how highly regarded Postecoglou is.
The performances of Matt Leckie and company prove the future is bright. Coming off a hammering at the hands of the Germans made us wonder what the next four years would hold.
As it turned out, Verbeek was removed from his post and only now are we starting to see the kind of development of younger players that we should have seen under Verbeek all those years ago.
anfalicious
Guest
Pim Verbeek is the worst thing to happen to Australian football since the Hellas/Croatia riots.
John Socceroo
Guest
Ian , this is because he sucks......
KP
Guest
SOrry 2014. Slip of the key board
KP
Guest
2012 Socceroos walked onto the field a different team. Their coach believed in them and they believed in themselves. They played with verve, energy and pizazz. And while we were defeated by Chile and again sadly by the Dutch, those of us who saw the games experienced the excitement of a truly competitive Aussie team. 2 -1 up against the Netherlands. !!! and we gained a young team blooded with valuable experience. cahill finished his World Cup career with a stunning goal we will remember and celebrate for years to come. Who is Pim? Who cares? Lets look to the future. For it is a bright one.
Jack
Guest
We would not of scored under pim
Ian Whitchurch
Guest
"Not hire him again" would be the obvious step.
Dasilva
Guest
He was right that our defenders are inexperience and that he successful predicted that we would concede 3 Goals from the match (just like we did against chile) Still he was wrong about not scoring against the Netherlands
1860melbourne
Guest
Where are you Pim. I cant heaaar you?
Patrick
Guest
Well, as much as Pim has his opinion apparently so does Han Berger with these comments in the same article, which seem to be suggesting until he came along all 'football' in Australian history was played like a rugby game! Not happy Han! The Football Director of the Aussie Federation is none other than former Dutch coach Han Berger, who is in his final weeks now of his job. “This nation loves rugby more than anything. There are three different rugby variations. And they play football like they play rugby. In a fast pace move the ball forward and use physical strength and guts to push for a goal. This is not how you play football so we have started a whole new development process. But it will take a generation for that succeed.”
Bondy
Guest
Verbeek's entitled to his opinion as everyone has expressed, but in reading this article about non generational change under Verbeek Osieck's also done exactly the same thing still used the old players and didn't make the transnational change needed for the future and betterment of Australian Football . Postecoglou's done in 3-4 months what these guys refused to do or couldn't do in 6-8 years. You dont have be a rocket scientist to predict the possible outcome for Australia against the Dutch even a draw for Australia would shock the Australian sports landscape,one would think. These hours are our finest hours as a nation in sport and should be cherished we're not monstering some sh^^ty little nation at Cricket where we know the outcome of the event before it starts almost, with football we're rocking with the best on the planet here in a truly universal game and nobody knows what forms of outcomes can occur ,what more could a sports consumer ask for,unpredictability on a global scale . Go the Roo's ..
Griffo
Roar Guru
I think Pim tried to tactically out think and win the Germany match, but went against 2+ years of the teams tactical setup to achieve it. Trying those tactics in the second half against USA in the final warm up match, then going down two goals fairly quickly against Germany just deflated any belief the players had in winning the game with the new tactics. Muller's head-nodding for the (3rd?) or fourth goal showed I think how easy they found it in the end, but in the press leading up to the game they were (in front of the media) wondering how they would break us down. Pim should have stuck with his pragmatic, defensive counter attacking style - a style that was de rigueur for teams to be competitive in 2010. Added to how we went for the win against Serbia and who knows how the Germany match may have panned out... ...anywhoo, inexperience or out of depth, his qualification campaign got us to 14th in FIFA, but was dire to watch to say the least.
eric1
Guest
Talk about a beat up. His comments were not as spiteful as this article suggests. Not a single quote in the whole article from his recent comments re aus v ned.
Fadida
Guest
Agree Fuss. Pim was a dull character but he was a mile ahead of Osieck
whiskeymac
Guest
Pims got an opinion. It's hardly surprising is it? He says what he likes and likes what he says, always has. He got results for us but was stifling the game here by the end of his tenure. He got respectable results (4 pts) in a tough group but will always be remembered for 4 nil and a terrible attitude to local players abilities. What Pim and Holger nevr got was the best out of the next gen, at a time we needed them too. Van gaal ( respectfully and with media deference) called ange a good coach. The Chilean coach also praised the style and change in game. Never heard anyone say that about the nt coach post 06 until now.
RC
Guest
Verbeek is entitled to an opinion It's one thing to criticise Australia's a-league & so forth but what did he do to improve things? All he did was mope & talk tripe- for me the FFA board should've been sacked on mass for this clown's appointment. He damaged our aleague ten fold! Useless managers always blame things on others but themselves
Simon Rumble
Guest
Oh no, the Morrocan youth technical director--now that sounds like an illustrious position--thinks he knows best. What to do?
The Bear
Guest
By all accounts it was a results driven, short term approach. He certainly left his mark on the Football landscape. It wasn't all bad, sure. What I can say with certainty is that I'm glad he's nowhere near our NT, or press for that matter. How we went from Hiddink to Verbeek in a single WC cycle I'll never understand. Talk about extremes.
magila cutty
Guest
Water and ducks back spring to mind. Pim is, after all, dutch and his comments are those of a patisan fan and should be seen as just that. They are nothing to get upset about.
ian
Guest
Nice one Mr fuss!
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
There's lots about Pim Verbeek's time as head coach of our National Team that I didn't like, but on any measure I can't see how anyone can say he was "less than successful". He took us to WC2010 with AUS going 7 consecutive matches without conceding a goal; we finished above Japan and only conceded 1 goal in the 8 qualifying matches. Pim had 1 bad result in 3 years - a 4-0 loss at a WC tournament to Germany. As we saw in 2010, Germany put 4 goals past quite a few of teams featuring the cream of the world's footballers, including: an England team filled with EPL stars & an Argentinean team with Leo Messi. And, only 24 hours ago, Germany put 4 past Portugal - a team that made the Semi-Finals at Euor2012 & was only beaten in a penalty shoot-out by the eventual Champions of Europe .. and this team had the World's best player, Cristiano Ronaldo. So, being beaten 4-0 by Germany in 2010 was hardly a major disgrace, to those of us who follow the Game. By all means, have a go at Pim; but not for being "less than successful" when he was in charge of Australia.