I’ll never forget my feelings when Ange Postecoglou was appointed as manager of the Socceroos.
Watching him develop as a player, leader and manager in Australia, all the way from his early days with the South Melbourne Football Club to his eventual appointment as national coach, engendered a sense of pride and satisfaction that could best be described as nationalism.
The cynics would have interpreted my mood as evidence of the chip on the shoulder of Australian football fans. They would have cited the continued obsession in Australian football; proving itself to the broader community.
If that was me, I’ll cop it, in full knowledge that my thoughts around the announcement were connected to pride and pleasure rather than bitterness, one-up-man-ship and giving it to the sceptics.
After NSL success with South Melbourne as a player and manager, masterminding the astonishing run of the all-conquering Brisbane Roar and more silverware with Melbourne Victory, Postecoglou became something of a managerial icon in Australia.
Writers from social and sporting quarters were all talking about the Greek migrant who had embraced a new life in Australia, with football as his means to assimilate with his new country and connect with his traditionally minded father.
His wonderful autobiography, Changing the Game; Football in Australia Through My Eyes, speaks of the challenges and opportunities he encountered and is an inspirational text for all Australians, regardless of sporting or political allegiances.
Postecoglou’s pre-tournament comments at the 2015 Asian Cup, reflected the intense media pressure rightfully present for such a big event and expressed a plain and simple confidence that underlined his entire coaching career.
I wrote about it at the time in an early column for The Roar and was mystified by his words. Quite succinctly he said of the media, “As long as they stand by their opinion when the story unfolds”.
It was an astonishingly confident and almost arrogant message to the press, among whom there would have been many well satisfied with failure, such is the ignorance and distain towards the game in this country.
(AAP Image/Matt Roberts)
As Postecoglou and the players walked the ground after the glory of the final against South Korea, Australian football took another step forward, I was so proud that an Australian had been at the helm.
Don’t get me wrong, the multicultural diversity of this country is one of its most essential and valuable ingredients; my little 14 and 10-year-old Lebanese-Australian kids are testament to that.
However, seeing the Wallabies or the Australian cricket team coached by foreigners always irked me. Surely we had an Australian with a better knowledge and understanding of the local scene and players?
In the case of rugby perhaps not, cricket however, has no excuse.
In football’s case, we rarely did.
Through the Les Scheinflug, Eddie Thomson and Frank Arok years, irrespective of where those wonderful contributors to Australian football stood in terms of citizenship, they always felt like foreigners helping us out.
Terry Venables and Guus Hiddink, were hired guns, employed with a sole purpose in mind.
Many longed for the arrival of an Australian, not only professionally qualified and capable of taking over the reins but someone who could be symbolic; a metaphor for the changing face of the game in this country.
Postecoglou became that man and FFA representatives gate-crashed every one of his successful dressing rooms, doused in champagne, as World Cup qualification and Asian Cup success whet the public’s appetite for more.
[latest_videos_strip category=“football” name=“Football”]
The governing body now face a compelling challenge in determining whether to back the best Australian candidate against the impressive resumes of an apparently now small group of foreigners interested in coaching our Socceroos.
The ‘shortlist’ compiled by the FFA in preparation for their announcement in mid-February is a mystery to most and perhaps the bookies odds tell us more than we could ever know, however, there is no doubt that the nationality of the Sydney FC mentor is a factor.
Two schools of thought are clearly on the minds of the powers at be.
One line of thinking correctly suggests that the best candidate should be offered the position. Yet what exactly is the metric for the best candidate.
A World Cup campaign in Russia where the Socceroos compete well, threaten in all their group matches and score goals would be a good achievement and the second phase would be admirable.
However, does the appointment of Arnold offer something more to the bigger picture in Australian football?
This logically leads to the second school of thought and the simple question, ‘does Graham Arnold get a leg up in this interview process because he is an Australian?’
Much will be made of his knowledge of the local scene, the Australian players and his experience with the Socceroos in years passed. As disappointing as some of that history was, he has proven himself as a man more than willing to learn.
(AAP Image/David Moir)
His development as a manager and more importantly, a recruiter, has been clear and deserves merit yet does he offer something to the position of national coach that other foreigners might not be able to bring?
The FFA will need to weigh up these factors and decide whether another A-League Manager could in fact be world class. Sydney FC’s style should come into discussion, as should Arnold’s analysis of his own limitations and the areas in which he can improve.
The answer is undoubtedly blowing in a Dylan-esque wind and the question will be much discussed over the next fortnight. Retrospect will provide the clearest of twenty/twenty vision.
All I know is that the decision is immensely important, difficult and fraught with danger.
Let’s hope they get it right.
Kris
Guest
I disagree about Ange trying to fit guys in a system. He would like to play with a back 4 but couldn't find a pair of full backs so switched to a back 3. He would have like a midfield 3, but played with 4 to accommodate Mooy. I think Ange understood he had some strength in the middle (Mooy, Luongo, Jedinak ... Milligan on a good day) and had some pacy wingers (who don't score much) in Leckie and Kruse and tried to build around what he had. Hold the ball with his midfielders, try to use his pace out wide ... and accept that he has no fullbacks or strikers so try and paper-over that with a back 3 and a false-9.
Kangajets
Guest
Punter Yeah u right abt 2010 knocked out by Germany in round of 16 But knocked out in quarters by Brazil in 2002 in an outstanding game . Brazil eventually winners By Portugal on pens in 2006 By Argentina in the Michael Owen David Beckham send off match in 1998 Those players you mentioned were excellent indeed particularly scholes . Unfortunate Owen career was injury plague . But never in my opinion have England gone into any World Cup as top 4 chance It’s just English media . Italia 90 with Gazza was the last semi final . Enough abt them, I was just wishing Aussie could be as successful as regular q f . And as for Scotland. I doubt I’ll see them in a World Cup Maybe Sir Alex could coach the Socceroos??
punter
Guest
Kanga, I think you will find that they England missed the quarter finals in 2010, plus in 2002 & 2006, they had the golden generation Terry, Ferdinand, Ashley Cole in defence, Scholes, Gerrard, Lampard, Beckham in midfield & Rooney & Owen up front, quarters didn't quite cut it.
Buddy
Guest
oh dear, I didn't mean for this thread to switch from Australia to England, neither as a supporter or detractor. However, since I appear to have diverted attention there just go with the following point. In the years following their 1966 win there has been a serious amount of talent that has "withered on the vine" or been squandered by the controlling powers. I chose 1982 in my example as the England side of that time contained the likes of Kevin Keegan, Glen Hoddle, Bryan Robson, Trevor Brooking, Steve Coppell, Trevor Francis, Ray Wilkins, Graham Rix, Mick Mills, Terry McDermott and in goal they had a choice of Shilton, Clemence and Corrigan. I'd kill to have any one of those three in a current international team. The point here is that they were a very talented bunch of players and on paper as good as any other country competing and definitely on a parr with the final winners, being Italy that year. I would love to have seen them coached by someone who appeared to me to really get some great performances out of his teams. Nottingham Forest were certainly nobody's favourites to knock off Liverpool at the time nor lift 2 european cups but that managerial partnership brought great dividends. Since then there has been a steady stream of talented players either under used or not utilised properly and then all the criticisms apply but find the right manager and let him loose with the talent and that could so easily be different. Personally I prefer the slightly more maverick and daring approach that some smaller countries possess. After all there is little to lose, you either go boldly or go home! Sorry to sidetrack though, just find me a bold and brave coach that helps motivate the socceroos and I might just get on a plane later in the year!
Doc Disnick
Roar Guru
Yes, I'd agree if we're talking about serious stuff where jobs or lives are at risk. Best person for the job, definately. However, we're not in this case... it's football. The person who manages the national side should be of the same nationality as the very people they're managing along with their fans. You can't have a Brazilian playing for Australia (within reason) so I see no reason why the rules should allow for mercenary managers from other countries. It's the first thing I'd change in world football.
JonJax
Guest
GA's attributes are system and organisation along with tactical inflexibility and an inability to read/influence the game once started. NOthing good will come from letting him near the Socceroos!
Kangajets
Guest
Fadida It’s the English media that build them up . Last 4 years have been ordinary by Germany or Spain or Brazil world standards But England have a Harry Kane , Marcus rasford , Dele Ali . Does Australia?? But previous to that England made the quarter finals 3 times in a row . As an Aussie born with Scottish parents, I could only wish Australia could be as bad as England and make World Cup quarter finals .
Fadida
Guest
Spoton Kris. Each English campaign is Groundhog Day. Qualify with ease against mediocre opposition, often undefeated. In the build up the previous tempered caution is suddenly replaced with "we can win it!". What follows is an utter shambles of woeful performances playing slow, turgid, prehistoric football, followed by elimination, having been out passéd by every team they play, and calls for the manager's head. At this point fans and the media say "we aren't as good a we thought. We'll never make that mistake again". The manager is sacked/quits. The same pattern is then repeated. Easy qualifying, unrealistic high hopes. Grim failure. And on and on.
Nemesis
Guest
I can't remember - was Arnold in charge for the Qualifiers for Olympics 2008? Even if he was, the system was different then. Teams played Home & Away. In the past 2 Olympic Qualifications, teams in a group have played all 6 matches in the one location. For 2016, we played all matches in Doha. This makes a difference. Australia playing at home is a massive advantage to playing in the Middle East. Here is the 2008 squad that played in Beijing. It was nothing special - same players who are considered "not good enough cattle", yet they qualified for the Olympics. GK Adam Federici Tando Velaphi DF Jade North* Adrian Leijer Mark Milligan (c) Matthew Špiranović Nikolai Topor-Stanley Trent McClenahan MF Neil Kilkenny Stuart Musialik David Carney* Ruben Zadkovich James Troisi Kristian Sarkies Billy Celeski FW Mark Bridge Nikita Rukavytsya Archie Thompson (injured was replaced by Matt Simon!!)
Griffo
Roar Guru
I have been clamoring for Bielsa for ages, but I hold similar thoughts to AGO74 - he is a bit of an unknown, and these days if the FFA refused to offer the sort of help with the NT he needed, he is just as likely to walk mid-campaign. Still I don't think a lack of English is as big a problem as potentially would be made out but some areas. If he could inspire the players and adapt his philosophy to our mentality, it could be very potent. Still I am also a little disappointed that Rangnick doesn't appear to be on the list (or didn't want the role), as he seemed potentially an ideal possibility for a reasonable wage, compared to Bielsa. Mancini seems to have priced himself out of the running. The FFA wage fund is going to be a hard limit on who really is in the running.
marcel
Guest
Rather Id say, its the sign of a mature nation to recognise that foreign nationals may have greater expertise in a given field.
Griffo
Roar Guru
AGO74 - judging from his previous national appointment, I don't think he has really been challenged as keenly when the pressure was on from poor results since that time. I think that persona would emerge again with a poor run of national results. Still Arnold has come along way since then, at least as a club coach, but how will that translate to the National Team long term remains to be seen. An earlier post below I think we are better off long term keeping a foundation (some) of what Ange built and build it up some more, at least from an FFA perspective. If they are just purely going for a foreign named coach for short term marketing then that is poor. If a foreign coach does well and wants to stay with the pay on offer, is that going to be a good decision if it is Pim-era defensive counter attack rather than the attack mantra we have been used to (if somewhat nullified by poorer strike rate and defensive lapses)?
Griffo
Roar Guru
Buddy I think this is ideal in that the FFA at some point need to understand what it is they want the national team to do and play like. Ange had his ideas, very much based on his version of the Australian way, that hit a chord. Take this as a foundation we want to keep, appointing someone, regardless of passport, that throws this out and have their own 'philosophy' may not be a good thing long term. No guarantees Arnold would build and follow on from what Ange was doing. I also think a short term foreign 'name' coach would not be the best way forward either, if they did not build on what has gone before.
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Is Mancini worth 4 times van Marwijk? That Murdoch press article was probably a paid story from Mancini's agent. Pick up another $4M for 3 months while he waits for the Italy job. Nice money if you can get it. I think Van Marwijk is much better value at $1M and would probably stay on after. But lets not kid ourselves. This is not the "most important decision in Australian Football history". With the team we have and the interrupted preparation, they are not going to get past the first round anyway, no matter who the coach is. That chance went with Arnold. Even Postecoglou knew that and that's why he took the $4M p.a. on offer, compared to the $1M FFA offered him. Winning a World Cup will take a lot more time, effort and money than Australian Football can currently afford.
JAJI
Guest
Some context That Asian Cup in 2007 - most of the players were playing in their third off season in a row (Confeds Cup WC and Asian Cup) and half were disinterested. Weather stifling. Humidity etc. Still they made it to the quarters and were knocked out by Japan on penalties The 2011 edition lost to Japan in the final The 2015 edition won the trophy - and avoided Japan Also - Ange in charge of the Young Socceroos was a disaster so we cant cherry pick past realms I don't like GA's personality either - but you know what he got the Olyroos to Beijing 2008 - via North korea and other destinations. We haven't looked like qualifying since IMO he shades Poppa at this stage and deserves his go
Kangajets
Guest
Marco Silva just become available. Portuguese influence , recent epl experience He provides the quick fix sugar hit of a short tournament Silva was able to lift moderate teams up the table rapidly eg Watford , before it went Kipput For the World Cup job before Arnold takes over anyway .
Cool N Cold
Guest
Correctly, people are thinking who is to take over the Socceroos' head coaching job after the Russian World Cup. Supposedly, he should be Ante Milicic. However, the recent U-23 AFC Championship result is not good. Maybe, ask Popovic to go to Russia as an adviser (technical adviser, or football director).
Kris
Guest
Getting England to perform "well above expectations" is almost impossible when those expectations are always so massively unrealistic. Eriksson making 3 quarter finals is probably overacheiving for that team, although English fans think not.
Lionheart
Guest
yep, good post
Lionheart
Guest
fair call It's not that he's gruff that concerns me, but his demeanour on the sideline, his inevitable criticism of the opponent and willing excuses when his team is below par, and his use of cynical tactics in defence (less so this year). I don't think he'll enhance our reputation in Asia somehow, but I will be thrilled to be wrong.