Bert van Marwijk has shown that he is media friendly and endearing. Irrespective of results, he is bound to be a success, because he isn’t guarded and is genuine about his job as Socceroos boss.
His belief in Australia being a “sporting nation” says it all.
The sceptics will be saying that we have a tough group in the World Cup, facing France, Denmark and Peru.
One can view this as doom and gloom or think of it as a challenge to see us progress to the next round. Van Marwijk’s belief is the latter and this is what we need – someone who will endeavour to make the most of what he has at his disposal within a short space of time.
His presence recently at some A-League games and shows that he is willing to consider local players to be included in his squad.
He has been successful in his other jobs. When he coached Feyenoord, he won the UEFA Cup. He also had good results with the Netherlands, taking them to the World Cup final in 2010.
More recently, he coached Saudi Arabia to qualify for the upcoming tournament in Russia – the first time they’ve made the World Cup since Germany 2006.
Doran Smith
Roar Guru
I agree that first and foremost we need to perform on the field. Obviously we want to win every game we are involved in, but that isn’t always possible and we do have one of the tougher groups in the World Cup. Bert does believe that we can make it to the second round and I’m sure he will do everything in his power to succeed in his short tenure. Bert believes in the Socceroos, otherwise he wouldn’t have taken the job.
pacman
Guest
Well said Buddy. Agree 100%.
Grobbelaar
Roar Guru
I actually read this comment first before reading the actual article, and then had to have a chuckle, you weren't exaggerating! Anyway, I really like Bert, not sure how it will turn out, anything is possible, and I really doubt anyone is going to complain about getting an ugly 1-0 result along the way. He has the typical Dutch no-nonsense manner about him, and like all the great Dutch coaches, understands quite well that in all tournament play, there's an element of randomness attached to it, so all you can do is play the odds and hope for the best. Who can ever forget his countryman, and former socceroo coach, Pim, getting 3rd place in the 2007 Asian Cup on the back of three consecutive nil-all draws. Of course Guus tried to play the odds in that famous round two game against Italy in the 2006 WC, nearly got his wish of the penalty lottery, but was not able to account for aussie ineptitude and naivety, fully exploited by a world-weary Fabio Grosso. Veel succes Bert!
Buddy
Guest
I haven’t seen many coaches considered to be a success without the results to show for their efforts or “runs on the board”. Perhaps Mr Wenger at Arsenal is the best example of someone that is well respected around the globe but causes division at club level with many fans believing he is the problem and not the answer. In the case of the Socceroos, failure or success in the short term will surely be measured with some simple kpi’s. Assuming France are a no brainer to qualify for the knockout phase, the key will be who advances with them. That has to be the goal. From that point onwards knockout football is a lottery so anything else will be an enormous bonus. What I am personally hoping for is a change of playing style. Watching the Socceroos over the past few years has become dull and predictible and I am not a fan of “crab football” - move sideways or backwards but not forward! If players can be bold at least in the opposition’s half, a few risks taken in an attacking sense, then it is possible that even if the team loses, they may gain respect for the manner in which they played the game. I don’t believe that to be the case in recent times. Games have been quite excruciating and when the final whistle has been blown everyone is happy to pack up and go home.
Fadida
Guest
At least it was a quick read
chris
Guest
I don't know what to say...
bob
Roar Rookie
"Irrespective of results, he is bound to be a success.." Are you havin a larf?