Comment: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou can’t have it both ways
IN JUNE, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was happy to be scrutinised – he even invited criticism. Four months later, he’s quit as Socceroos coach because of that criticism.
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IN June, Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou was happy to be scrutinised.
“It’s exactly what I want. And it’s good to see the debate’s not just the usual empty vessels, there’s some new voices that have strong opinions, both for and against what I’m doing. But that’s exactly what we need,” Postecoglou said at the Confederations Cup
“If we’re going to grow as a nation and really find our identity it’s going to come with vigorous debate and if that’s happening, and it looks like it is happening, that’s a massive positive for our game.”
So, why, only four months later, is he going to quit before next year’s World Cup – even if the Socceroos qualify – because of criticism of his formation, tactics, team selection and his “body language”?
He can’t have it both ways.
The players, at least publicly, have bought in with his philosophy, and his controversial decision to change the Socceroos’ formation in the middle of a World Cup qualifying campaign that had been going mostly to plan.
How must they be feeling now, particularly after last night’s positive result, to read that their coach is going to walk away from them before the final chapter of their journey – the 2018 World Cup – should the Socceroos clear their final hurdle next month.
In the past , Postecoglou has revelled in the criticism.
When he took over at Brisbane Roar in 2009, he was widely panned for cleaning out the squad, particularly after the club slumped to the bottom of the A-League ladder.
But he stayed true to his beliefs, and back-to-back championships in the following two years via a style of football that transformed the A-League were his reward.
However, he then quit the Roar to join Melbourne Victory only hours after publicly declaring his desire to lead Brisbane to three titles in a row.
The Roar players were angry, with many believing Postecoglou had let them down.
If the Socceroos players feel the same way today, Australia’s hopes of winning next month’s World Cup two-legged qualifying playoff with Postecoglou at the helm have been severely damaged.
Originally published as Comment: Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou can’t have it both ways