Ex-Socceroos assistant Josep Gombau says Ange Postecoglou’s resignation as national team coach is a loss for Australian soccer

JOSEP Gombau has described Ange Postecoglou’s resignation as Socceroos coach as a major loss for Australian soccer and has clarified his position as a potential replacement for the departed national team boss.

Former Socceroos assistant Josep Gombau says Ange Postecoglou’s resignation as national team coach is a loss for Australian soccer. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith

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JOSEP Gombau says Ange Postecoglou’s resignation as Socceroos coach is a major loss for Australian soccer, but he does not aspire to replace the departed national team boss.

The Spaniard was saddened by Postecoglou’s decision to stand down from the role on Wednesday, having worked as one of his assistants for 18 months.

Gombau, who took over as Western Sydney coach this month, had hoped the Socceroos supremo would remain in charge after leading Australia to its fourth straight World Cup.

But the former Adelaide United mentor respected Postecoglou’s call to quit for personal reasons.

“I was wishing that he would remain, because what he did for this country is amazing,” Gombau said.

“He brought a philosophy to the Socceroos and the way that they play.

“He had a vision that Australian teams can play good football and can play attacking football and (should) never fear any team.

Josep Gombau at Adelaide Oval during his time as Socceroos assistant coach. Picture: Sarah Reed

“Australian football has lost something very big. But if the decision (to quit) is the best for him, I am happy because I want the best for him.”

Postecoglou helped lure Gombau back to Australia, a year after he left Adelaide to be closer to his family in Spain.

Gombau coached Australia’s under-23 side while assisting Postecoglou in ushering in the Socceroos’ three-man defence and high-pressing game.

He was appreciative of the learning experience under Postecoglou, but said he was not a contender to lead the country to next year’s World Cup in Russia.

“For me to work with the Socceroos was an opportunity and I will always be grateful to Ange for this,” said Gombau, who would coach the Wanderers against the Reds at Hindmarsh Stadium on Sunday.

“But I’m starting my journey now with Western Sydney Wanderers (and) my focus is 100 per cent with them.

“This is a project that I took because I would like to have a chance for three years and I want to do a good job.

An emotional Ange Postecoglou announces his resignation as Socceroos coach. Picture: AFP Photo/William West

“But for the future we will see what happens in my life – you never know what can happen.”

Adelaide had a light training session on Thursday after returning home the previous day from its heartbreaking extra-time FFA Cup final loss to Sydney FC.

The Reds would be without Michael Marrone for the visit of the Wanderers as the right-back served a mandatory minimum one-match suspension for his red card in the decider.

Football Federation Australia was yet to announce a date for Marrone’s disciplinary hearing into his altercation with a ball boy which led to his expulsion in the final.

A United spokesman said the side picked up no fresh injuries in the gruelling clash with the Sky Blues, despite some players clocking up more than 15km in the 120 minutes.

He said winger Johan Absalonsen and midfielder Vince Lia were unlikely to be fit for this weekend, but were both a chance to return for next Friday night’s home clash with Sydney.

Originally published as Ex-Socceroos assistant Josep Gombau says Ange Postecoglou’s resignation as national team coach is a loss for Australian soccer