Socceroos Thread

[Twodogs]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Yep, Peru was the perfect pot 2 result for us and Denmark the worst pot 3 result - however I'm much happier getting an easier pot 2 team and tough pot 3 team than the reverse (such as Spain and Tunisia for example, which would have made it virtually impossible for us to finish top 2 in the group). Any of the pot 1 teams except Russia are tough and France is no exception, but I'd rather them than Germany, Brazil or the Argies any day.

France first up is key - it's in Kazan where we will be setting up training camp so we can hopefully snag a draw while the French ease into the tournament. The Danes are a good team but not insurmountable and Peru are flashy but physical teams trouble them. We are good enough defensively to get out of the group stage but we desperately need to get our front third sorted.

A coach would be handy too.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Yep happy enough we have a group we can at least sink our teeth into this time still not easy but. France in the first game is the best time to get them.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Yep, Peru was the perfect pot 2 result for us and Denmark the worst pot 3 result - however I'm much happier getting an easier pot 2 team and tough pot 3 team than the reverse (such as Spain and Tunisia for example, which would have made it virtually impossible for us to finish top 2 in the group). Any of the pot 1 teams except Russia are tough and France is no exception, but I'd rather them than Germany, Brazil or the Argies any day.

France first up is key - it's in Kazan where we will be setting up training camp so we can hopefully snag a draw while the French ease into the tournament. The Danes are a good team but not insurmountable and Peru are flashy but physical teams trouble them. We are good enough defensively to get out of the group stage but we desperately need to get our front third sorted.

Agree with everything you said especially the bolded.

[boydogs]

Re: Socceroos Thread

We are good enough defensively to get out of the group stage but we desperately need to get our front third sorted.

Which coaches would suit us given where we are at?

[Sedat]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Which coaches would suit us given where we are at?

I reckon it's playing personnel that has hindered us and not coaching. We simply don't have the depth of talent that we had in 2006 and 2010 (which was a disgraceful WC performance considering our talent level). We especially have a dearth of quality strikers in the national team, which is why we are still relying so heavily on a 37yo who cannot even get regular game time in club football.

I think our defence and midfield has started to click since the Confederations Cup, but in tournament play you need to convert your chances to progress.

With regard to potential coaches, I think following a sympathetic WC draw we'll be inundated with good candidates, both from abroad short term and locally long term. Not sure who will best suit us for the World Cup but I hope we don't abandon what we have developed in the last 4 years from a playing personnel and system perspective. We are still a very young squad whose best football is in front of us.

[Twodogs]

Re: Socceroos Thread

That's a good point about coaches waiting to see what our group was before making a decision on whether to apply for the job or not. It isn't something that had occurred to me,

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Socceroos Thread

The thing that baffles me, is how the heck we ended up with three teams ranked inside the top 12?

The whole draw is based on Fifa rankings and the allocation to who goes into each pot for the draw comes directly from those rankings, aside Russia who are gifted the first pot.

The first pot should have been Russia plus the 7 top seeded teams, therefore Pot 2 should have been 8-17 (10th is Chile and 15th is Italy who didn't qualify), pot3 should have been 17-29ish (taking out the teams that missed such as Wales, Netherlands, US, Costa Rica, etc), and pot 4 would be the rest of the teams who sit at a ranking of roughly 30ish+

So about half the groups should have two teams in the top 12, but none should have three. In fact half the groups should only have one team inside the top 12. So how is it we ended up with three from the top 12?

Also, why has the general consensus been that we have got an "easier" draw. If you work on rankings (which isn't perfect, I know) this should actually be the "group of death".

Am I missing something?

[westdog54]

Re: Socceroos Thread

http://www.espnfc.com/australia/story/3295704/jurgen-klinsmann-interested-in-vacant-australia-job-report

Former United States boss Jurgen Klinsmann has made enquiries over the vacant Australia head coach position, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.

The Socceroos will play at the 2018 World Cup but are without a manager after Ange Postecoglou sensationally resigned just days after helping the Asian champions qualify, and Klinsmann, who is without a job after being sacked in November 2016, is reported to be interested in the role.

The media outlet reports that the 53-year-old made a phone call to "one of his closest friends" -- a former Australia international -- to ask about the A-League, the quality of the Socceroos and how competitive the side could be in
Drawn on Friday alongside France, Peru and Denmark in Group C, Australia have been placed in an easier group than previous World Cups, but are still considered long-shots to get any further than the group stage.

Klinsmann reportedly is interested in the position because "Australia has a very similar sports landscape to the U.S." but could be put off by the salary on offer -- said to be almost half the wage the German was paid as USMNT head coach.

Klinsmann may face stiff competition for the role, with ex-Paris Saint-Germain boss Laurent Blanc already sounded out by the Australian federation, according to his agent Jean-Pierre Bernes -- who also claimed his client is also a target of U.S. Soccer.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

The thing that baffles me, is how the heck we ended up with three teams ranked inside the top 12?

The whole draw is based on Fifa rankings and the allocation to who goes into each pot for the draw comes directly from those rankings, aside Russia who are gifted the first pot.

The first pot should have been Russia plus the 7 top seeded teams, therefore Pot 2 should have been 8-17 (10th is Chile and 15th is Italy who didn't qualify), pot3 should have been 17-29ish (taking out the teams that missed such as Wales, Netherlands, US, Costa Rica, etc), and pot 4 would be the rest of the teams who sit at a ranking of roughly 30ish+

So about half the groups should have two teams in the top 12, but none should have three. In fact half the groups should only have one team inside the top 12. So how is it we ended up with three from the top 12?

Also, why has the general consensus been that we have got an "easier" draw. If you work on rankings (which isn't perfect, I know) this should actually be the "group of death".

Am I missing something?

The rankings have changed since the pots were set using October rankings. Pot 1 was the top 7 plus Russia. Pot 2 was 8-18, Pot 3 19-34 and Pot 4 the rest. Denmark were ranked 19 at the time.

The rankings are only a guide and are deliberately manipulated by teams. I read an example where Poland have avoided playing friendlies so as not to erode the high ranking earned by strong results in the world cup qualifiers and Euro. Spain on the other hand have had some average friendly results that have hurt their ranking seeing them drop to pot 2.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Re: Socceroos Thread

The rankings have changed since the pots were set using October rankings. Pot 1 was the top 7 plus Russia. Pot 2 was 8-18, Pot 3 19-34 and Pot 4 the rest. Denmark were ranked 19 at the time.

The rankings are only a guide and are deliberately manipulated by teams. I read an example where Poland have avoided playing friendlies so as not to erode the high ranking earned by strong results in the world cup qualifiers and Euro. Spain on the other hand have had some average friendly results that have hurt their ranking seeing them drop to pot 2.

Thanks Axe. It does seem rather ludicrous that they would use the October rankings though, considering all qualifiers were not finished and that the draw took place a few days from December. I guess it was, as you allude to, probably a deliberate way to ensure friendlies got played in November and that teams weren't pulling the pin trying to rig their spot.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread



Next Socceroos Coach - Gordon Bombay for sure!

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

New Socceroos coach: 13 foreign options linked to take over from Ange Postecoglou

IT’S Socceroos silly season.

The World Cup draw is set, the competition is just over six months away and it seems like every day a new manager (or two) is putting the feelers out to take over as our national team boss.

So far this week we’ve seen four new names emerge, including Jurgen Klinsmann, Slavoljub Muslin and Christoph Daum.

On Tuesday, former England national team boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has told the Herald Sun he is interested in a short term stint as the Socceroos get set to face France, Peru and Denmark in Russia 2018.

“Yes of course I’m interested. It’s a big job, a big football country, you’re playing in the World Cup — again. You more or less always play in the World Cup,’’ Eriksson told the Herald Sun.

It’s no shock to see so many names floated to replace Ange Postecoglou, with FFA still unclear whether they will opt for a local coach or a foreign coach, on a short term stint or through until the end of the next World Cup cycle.

What is clear is the fact names will continue to be linked until steps are taken to appoint Postecoglou’s successor.

In the meantime, here are the other coaches linked to the Socceroos job so far ...

MARCELO BIELSA

The ex-Chile and Argentina boss is in purgatory, waiting to be sacked by Lille who sit 17th in Ligue 1. Bielsa is a renowned tactician who influenced Postecoglou’s football, as well as names such as Pep Guardiola, Jorge Sampaoli, Mauricio Pochettino and Diego Simeone. Fairfax Media reported last month that FFA sounded out Bielsa following Postecoglou’s departure.

Chance of it happening?: Bielsa is the ultimate, but he’s yet to be sacked by Lille and, unless his payout is substantial, would be a costly option.

JURGEN KLINSMANN

Former US and Germany international boss, Klinsmann has thrown his hat in the ring, with money being the major sticking point. Klinsmann has been credited for overhauling the national team set up in Germany in 2006, which led to their 2014 World Cup success. More recently, Klinsmann was sacked after the US lost their first two World Cup qualifiers to Mexico and Costa Rica.

Chance of it happening?: Again, cost is a stumbling block and Klinsmann’s stint as US boss doesn’t bode well.

SLAVOLJUB MUSLIN

Fresh off Klinsmann links, Muslin’s name was floated as a new candidate after being sacked by Serbia. The Adelaide Advertiser reports Muslin is in Australia and has been contacted by FFA over the job. After qualifying Serbia for the World Cup, Muslin was replaced by Mladen Krstajic.

Chance of it happening?: Was destined to go to a World Cup, but was sacked by Serbia. Now he’s desperate for a look in, hence the timely Socceroos links.

BERT VAN MARWIJK

Famous for leading an ‘un-Dutch’ Netherlands side to the 2010 World Cup final, Van Marwijk qualified Saudi Arabia for the World Cup ahead of the Socceroos in Group B but left his job soon after. His involvement with Dutch TV and a desire to be based out of Europe are stumbling blocks to taking over Australia.

Chance of it happening?: If Van Marwijk left the rich Saudi contract because he wanted to remain based in the Netherlands, it’s doubtful he’ll change his mind for Australia.

CHRISTOPH DAUM

Another name thrown about recently is Daum’s – most recently with Romania. Daum was sacked in September from his job after being involved in an epic blow up at a press conference after being asked about his future. His other stints as manager include time with Besiktas, Fenerbahce, Bayer Leverkusen and Club Brugge.

Chance of it happening?: Next...

GIANNI DE BIASI

Formerly coach of Albania, De Biasi was linked to replace Ange Postecoglou after he left in June. Since then, De Biasi has signed for – and been sacked by – Spanish club Deportivo Alaves after just 10 games in charge. The bulk of De Biasi’s coaching career has come in Italy, with clubs like Udinese, Torino and Brescia.

Chance of it happening?: Another uninspiring name, with a history of jumping from job to job with little success.

CARLOS QUEIROZ

The current boss of Iran, Queiroz qualified his team for the World Cup but has been linked to the Socceroos job while Postecoglou was in charge – however those links seemingly suggested the ex-Portugal manager intended to take over after the World Cup.

Chance of it happening?: Link made sense when it seemed like Postecoglou would take Australia through to Russia, but Quieroz is already there with Iran.

HERVE RENARD

Another who has led his team to a World Cup, Renard is currently in charge of Morocco. His name is almost certainly crossed out, having signed a new deal until the end of the 2022 cycle.

Chance of it happening?: A new deal with Morocco means this one isn’t happening.

CARLO ANCELOTTI

Described as the ‘dream’ candidate, Ancelotti has won league titles in Italy, France, Germany, England and Spain as well as five Champions League titles (two as a player, three as a manager). But the chances of Australia nabbing him are zero – with Ancelotti publically rejecting the vacant Italy post in favour of returning to club football in due course.

Chance of it happening?: Ancelotti has ruled himself out.

GUUS HIDDINK

A name thrown about by Fox Sports’ Robbie Slater, Hiddink led the Socceroos to a first World Cup in 32 years in 2006. Since then, he’s enjoyed a couple of interim stints with Chelsea but also struggled during stints with Turkey and the Netherlands.

Chance of it happening?: A romantic option, particularly with Hiddink in semi-retirement, but it’s unclear if Hiddink actually wants to coach again.

LUIS ENRIQUE

A left field name only really linked by bookmakers, the former Barcelona manager is without a job after leaving the club in the summer. With Barca, Enrique won the treble and also has slim connections with Australia – having played with Gui Amor, formerly of Adelaide United.

Chance of it happening?: No legitimate links.

RONALD KOEMAN

Out of a job after being sacked by Everton, Koeman has revealed he has since been offered two Premier League jobs since – at West Ham and West Brom – while there are “other possibilities” in Europe. Dutch press have heavily linked Koeman to the Dutch national team job, along with Frank De Boer and Ruud Gullit.

Chance of it happening?: A coach with ambitions to coach in top European leagues, or to take over his country of birth rules Koeman out.

[Axe Man]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Tim Cahill has quit Melbourne City - will be interesting to see where he ends up with his focus on the World Cup.

[Topdog]

Re: Socceroos Thread

I reckon it's playing personnel that has hindered us and not coaching. We simply don't have the depth of talent that we had in 2006 and 2010 (which was a disgraceful WC performance considering our talent level). We especially have a dearth of quality strikers in the national team, which is why we are still relying so heavily on a 37yo who cannot even get regular game time in club football.

YES YES YES YES YES.

It has been ridiculous the level of criticism levelled at Ange when we clearly just have not had the personal to execute any kind of plan that involves scoring goals.

[Topdog]

Re: Socceroos Thread

Tim Cahill has quit Melbourne City - will be interesting to see where he ends up with his focus on the World Cup.

Can only assume he will follow Ange who is reportedly going to Japan.