A-League confidential: Gerard Houllier, Andy Roxburgh help in search for Socceroos coach

AMID the cast of thousands giving input into the choice of new Socceroos coach, two names have gone unnoticed until now.

Gerard Houllier is giving input into the choice of new Socceroos coach

AMID the cast of thousands giving input into the choice of new Socceroos coach, two names have gone unnoticed until now.

When Football Federation Australia set up its advisory panel to vet candidates, former Socceroos and FFA officials were conspicuous inclusions, plus two unnamed “international experts”.

Confidential can reveal they are none other than Gerard Houllier and Andy Roxburgh, both former international coaches who have enjoyed many years as “technical experts” on the FIFA and UEFA gravy train.

Gerard Houllier is giving input into the choice of new Socceroos coach

Houllier of course is well known to the Australian hierarchy, having been pursued by Frank Lowy to succeed Guus Hiddink after the 2006 World Cup, and his advice has been sought before.

Roxburgh, meanwhile, is currently the Asian Football Confederation’s technical director, having held similar roles with Scotland and UEFA.

Neither, it must be said, is in the flush of youth — Houllier is 70 and Roxburgh four years older — which may explain why we hear their involvement so far has been limited.

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THESE are difficult times at Melbourne City, where unrest appears to be continuing among the underperforming playing squad.

Some members are less than enamoured with coach Warren Joyce’s intensive training methods, and the Wanderers players were surprised at the angry exchanges among City players on the pitch during their New Year’s Day match.

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WHILE Graham Arnold isn’t expecting many departures during the transfer window, we’re hearing whispers that Dutch defender Jordy Buijs is weighing up an offer from Asia.

Arnold has already said he won’t stop any player from leaving for an overseas club, but the loss of Buijs in the heart of defence would be huge for the Sky Blues.

Sydney FC coach Jordy Buijs might be on the move.

For the time being at least, forget the errant reports claiming that Trent Sainsbury is signing at Sydney FC.

The Socceroo still has a year’s contract at Chinese Super League team Jiangsu Suning, though new restrictions on the number of foreign players might change that.

For now, though, Sainsbury is heading to Spain for a pre-season training camp with Jiangsu.

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THE Socceroos have already locked in a friendly match against Norway in Oslo during the March international break and we hear FFA are close to finalising another game against Colombia that will be played in London five days later.

With the Socceroos grouped alongside Peru for the World Cup, a friendly match against Colombia would be ideal preparation.

Originally published as A-League confidential: Gerard Houllier, Andy Roxburgh help in search for Socceroos coach