Ange Postecoglou’s recent statements about Australian soccer and the Matildas’ success are not just bleak predictions; they are a brilliant call to action.
In his unique way, he has ingeniously spotlighted the challenges and opportunities that lie before us, and it is time to recognise his genius in driving much-needed change.
I cannot help but marvel at Postecoglou’s ability to spark crucial conversations about the future of football in Australia. His accomplishments as a coach are undeniable, and it is precisely his wisdom and experience that make his recent statements all the more impactful.
What strikes me most is not the negativity of his observations, but rather the strategic genius behind them.
Postecoglou is a master of the game, and he is employing his platform and insights to create awareness and instigate transformation in the Australian game.
His astute assessment of the post-Matildas World Cup scenario, where he predicts no significant increase in resources allocated to the sport, is not a mere lament but a strategic move. By painting this challenging reality, he has highlighted issues that need urgent attention.
The Tottenham manager’s observations compel us to ponder: do Australians truly lack the will to invest in soccer on a national scale – or are we inherently disinterested in making a mark on the world stage through football?
His perspective challenges us to reevaluate our collective dedication to the sport and prompts us to think about the steps needed to make a significant impact globally.
The genius of Postecoglou’s statements is most evident when we consider his personal experience as the Socceroos’ head coach.
(Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images )
He is not just expressing his frustrations; he is expertly leveraging his own journey as a case study of the challenges within Australia. By sharing his own roadblocks, he is drawing attention to the obstacles that continue to thwart the sport’s growth.
While some progress has been made, it is Postecoglou’s acute sense of the challenges that motivate us to recognise that change is long overdue. His reluctance to consider a return to coaching in Australia is not a sign of resignation but a demonstration of his strategic thinking.
He is deliberately refusing to take on any future role of becoming the national team manager again until the necessary changes are implemented.
The genius becomes even more apparent when we acknowledge the profound impact of the Matildas’ historic run in the Women’s World Cup.
Despite their awe-inspiring journey, Postecoglou said he does not believe it will leave a lasting legacy. However, I think the comments are his way of signalling that there is an urgent need to ensure their achievements catalyse change and growth in women’s football.
As a testament to Postecoglou’s influence, the Matildas game in Perth was sold out. There were also record crowds in the opening standalone weekend of the A-League Women’s competition.
This remarkable response from the public may well be proof that his stance is gaining traction and bolstering the movement for positive change in Australian soccer.
So what is holding us back? Postecoglou’s genius lies in his ability to pinpoint the dominant presence of other sporting codes like AFL, NRL, and rugby, which have enjoyed generational support.
He is astutely showing us that these entrenched sports are part of the challenge that soccer faces.
While other nations like Japan have embraced soccer despite similar cultural and sporting challenges, Australia has not followed the same path. His strategic thinking urges us to explore new avenues for growth, even when faced with these formidable obstacles.
Those insights, born out of unparalleled experience and wisdom, have thrust us into a critical conversation about the sport’s future.
Let us not merely accept Postecoglou’s words as mere commentary; let us recognise the genius in his approach to drive change. Australian soccer holds immense potential, and it’s time for us to utilise his insights to create a brighter future for the sport we love.
Football Fan
Roar Rookie
liquorbox_, that's because the vast majority of casual viewers are sheep, they watch what the MSM cover. The standard of Aleague club football is vastly superior to the Matildas so it is not an issue with the standard.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
It’s an Australian approach to watching sport that’s for sure. For some reason you can go to Japan or Indonesia or one of the many leagues in Europe and people still come out to watch their ‘inferior’ local leagues. Football fans in Australia do not. It’s not just football. Rugby crowds were extremely healthy when we were in the top 1 to 3 rugby teams in the world consistently, and they fell off a cliff when we were not. We have an inferiority complex in my opinion … we need the World’s stamp of approval (from winning stuff internationally) before we decide that something homegrown is worthy of our attention. Look at the way that AFL fans often talk about their sport. It’s often in terms of international comparison even when there is none. ‘The most well attended code in the World’ they will say. ‘They run more than any other code.’ The NRL is ‘the greatest game in the World.’
chris1
Roar Rookie
Grem there is no going back. Football is King (and Queen) with the under 35's. What's been happening with the 'tillies is nothing like what went on with the Wallabies or cricket teams in the past. Both the men's football team and the 'tillies run at the World Cup's brought out crowds and exposure that other sports could only look on with awe. What other sport brings out 20-30k people to watch on a public screen? The old mans media can fool the over 60s and pump up their tyre's, but the younger generations know what is real sporting achievement. That doesn't need me to say it, it's shown time and time again with the crowds football gets.
chris1
Roar Rookie
Imagine if you were Ange. Coming back to a country where the b o g a n s still view football as some foreign game and real men play a collision sport.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
I think the local leagues are a good standard, but if you have two products to choose from then people will generally choose the better quality one, this happens with just about everything in life.
Grem
Roar Rookie
In my opinion – I’ve seen enough games (Origin included) where completion rates are not great. Whether it’s from a poor carry or a poor pass and the ball hits the ground. Knock ons aren’t that uncommon. I think the NRL is often a good watch, but people question the standard of the A Leagues. This is because we get compared to the top leagues that don’t exist in other sports. How good is the NRL when the only other decent comp is played by not that many in the north of England? There is no yardstick to measure it against. In all games/codes there are mistakes and NRL is not excluded. Agree about AFL though. I rarely watch it, but when I do I agree with your description.
Aiden
Roar Rookie
Regarding the NRL, incorrect. They rarely drop the ball. The AFL bakes mistakes into its DNA, it’s a chaotic chook fight.
Grem
Roar Rookie
Hopefully completely cautionary.
Garry
Roar Rookie
Vine’s injury is a worry..ladies off to Uzbekistan for Asian Club Championship next week :unhappy: “The eight participants, three more than the previous edition, will be divided into two groups of four teams who will play in centralised venues in Uzbekistan and Thailand. “
Grem
Roar Rookie
8-0 now
Megeng
Roar Rookie
True but they didn't actually need the new stadiums. That was a freebie you'd take if you could. Football needs quality it doesn't currently have. Thats for the code to figure out for itself.
Garry
Roar Rookie
7 nil and counting now.. Foords hatrick. I didnt realise how important it is to ruin the Philippines goal difference otherwise we could play Japan next round.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Not if you’re the AFL or NRL. Pollies play a role in dishing out the money for stadiums, etc. Those two sports have done handsomely well.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
If your solution requires politicians, no matter what the problem, you're up the proverbial creek.
Megeng
Roar Rookie
I totally agree. Ange was very carefully putting the proverbial rocket up the collective Australian football world. A few weeks back some English journos asked him if he'd consider managing the English team. The response was a very clear "no mate, I'm Australian". He's through and through green and gold.
Grem
Roar Rookie
I’m curious to know what standard NRL and AFL are as there are no benchmarks to measure against. Plenty of missed tackles, dropped ball and ill directed passes in those games.
Garry
Roar Rookie
6.10pm today CH10 AET :stoked:
Aiden
Roar Rookie
It’s not EPL standard, but it’s not a bad standard. Plenty of really attractive football being played. It’s a higher standard than a lot of leagues that are far better attended. Again, Australians have this obsession with being ‘the best.’ People will happily watch the utter garbage that is the SPL just because they think it’s better and they know a few famous teams. Perception rules in this country.
liquorbox_
Roar Rookie
Maybe they just need to play in Australia more often. Maybe we need to have some type of mini tournament each non world cup year against the best teams where the revenue from sell outs is shared. The standard of club football is not attractive to many casual viewers that you want to become regular fans.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
many of the current Matildas came off the back of the QLD government's decision to fund a women's football program at the QAS. Many of the emerging Matildas are coming off the back of other State government decisions to follow suit and introduce a women's program at their publicly funded sports academies.