Former Socceroos to be part of panel to choose next Australian coach

A WIDE-RANGING cast list will guide the selection of the new Socceroos coach, with Football Federation Australia setting a deadline of February to appoint Ange Postecoglou’s successor

Former Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer will be on the panel to select the new national team coach.

A WIDE-RANGING cast list will guide the selection of the new Socceroos coach, with Football Federation Australia setting a deadline of February to appoint Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

Three former Socceroos — Mark Schwarzer, Stan Lazaridis and Mark Bresciano — are to join a panel sifting through names and conducting initial interviews, a committee that will also have two “international experts” added to it.

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In addition, current Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic, Head of National Performance Luke Casserly, FFA’s National Technical Director Eric Abrams and its Chief Medical Officer Dr Mark Jones will all have input.

Remarkably the search will also be conducted by an international recruiting agency specialising in sport, in a process that brings a whole new meaning to leaving stone unturned.

Though FFA said it will make the final decision, the transparency of the process is a promising sign.

Former Socceroos stars (l-r) Mark Bresciano, Stan Lazaridis and Mark Schwarzer will be on the panel to appoint a new Australian coach.

Both the panel and the agency will help to set the recruiting criteria, as well as vet candidates, with FFA looking initially at a coach for the long term.

The deadline of mid-February is to allow the new coach time before the next game, a friendly in March.

“As you would expect, we have had a high level of interest already,” said FFA CEO David Gallop, who will be one of the final casting voices in the selection of the new man..

“As things stand, no-one is ruled in or out. We are open minded about whether the coach is Australian or someone from overseas but they must live in Australia, embrace the progress on and off the field that has been achieved with national teams over the past four years — especially in the areas of technical development and sports science — and be prepared to be an ambassador for our sport here and abroad.

“FFA’s starting point is to appoint a coach for the long term but we will be advised on this and other matters by our expert panel.

“We are confident that we will attract the right person to lead the Socceroos at the FIFA World Cup and hopefully beyond.”