How Ange Postecoglou became the most influential Socceroos coach that Australian football has seen

YOU can measure the influence of Ange Postecoglou in many ways, but a look across the coaching benches of the A-League emphasises what a central figure the Socceroos coach has become.

YOU can measure the influence of Ange Postecoglou in many ways, but a look across the coaching benches of the A-League emphasises what a central figure the Socceroos coach has become.

Three of the nine Australian-based coaches in the A-League this season have been appointed with the input of Postecoglou, whose remit has expanded to have become a de facto football director at Football Federation Australia.

“Prime ministerial” was the description used by a senior FFA figure when Postecoglou was appointed national coach, and it is an apt description of the role he has taken on across the board.

First John Aloisi was appointed at Brisbane when the then-Roar chairman, Chris Fong, sought Postecoglou’s advice as an ex-Brisbane coach. Then Postecoglou headed the panel to select Newcastle’s new coach after FFA took it over, opting for the surprise figure of Scott Miller; and 10 days ago, it was after seeking Postecoglou’s counsel that the Mariners appointed Paul Okon as their new head coach.

Soocceroos coach Ange Postecoglou exerts a hug influence over football in Australia.

Okon’s departure, and the cutting loose of Aurelio Vidmar, have allowed Postecoglou to refresh the youth-level national teams, with Ufuk Talay replacing Okon with the U20s, and Josep Gombau the left-field choice for Olyroos and Socceroos assistant.

Given FFA’s governing role in the sport, and his own influence within that body, Postecoglou is clearly the most influential Australian coach of modern times - possibly of all time. Certainly the most successful, his four national league titles and of course the Asian Cup win last year have given him a uniquely powerful standing.

“It’s not something I set out to do, but I guess people making these decisions want to seek the counsel of someone who’s been involved in the game for 20 years as a coach, and has been relatively successful,” Postecoglou said. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing - in any other nation it would be pretty much the norm. If people think that’s unusual for me then that’s fine.

“I’ll always help where I can. I want to improve football in our country, in whatever way is asked of me. I have good relations with just about all the A-League clubs and the A-League coaches, and that’s not just in terms of appointments. They know my advice will come without anything attached to it and I’m happy to help where I can. I also think of the people you mentioned that they’re all good candidates who deserve to coach.”

Paul Okon was appointed Mariners coach on the recommendation of Postecoglou.

Postecoglou and FFA CEO David Gallop clashed last year amid the players’ pay dispute, but even Gallop admits Postecoglou has become a hugely important figure.

“We have a head national coach now who is a genuine leader of our whole national teams structure,” he said. “Therefore he has a strong view on who should be coaching the young teams. Secondly he’s been in the A-League and has an appreciation of what he thinks a successful coach will look like there.

“So it makes sense that those clubs should come to him to get his opinion. It’s testimony to him and his ability and reputation in the game in Australia. You wouldn’t necessarily get that with an overseas coach and it’s one of the x-factors about Ange that I really like.”

After the tenures of Pim Verbeek and Holger Osieck, Postecoglou believes it has been incumbent on him to leave a wider impact.

Newcastle Jets coach Scott Miller was recommended for the role by Postecoglou.

“Maybe in the past people didn’t feel comfortable or have the expertise,” he said. “It would be pretty hard to ask a foreign coach about something distinct to the landscape of Australian football. Me being there gives that opportunity and my advice comes on the back of having intimate knowledge of people involved in our game.

“Maybe it’s unique to having me in the role, and if I were to move on and a foreign coach come in, it might not happen. I’m not shy on giving an opinion if people ask me, especially if I think it will help the game. At times it’s been surprising I haven’t been asked, but that comes down to the people asking the questions.”