Fly-in Dutchman to take no prisoners as new Socceroos coach plots course for Russia ‘to win games’
“AUSSIE” Bert van Marwijk has declared the Socceroos are going to Russia to win after being appointed Ange Postecoglou’s successor.
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“AUSSIE” Bert van Marwijk has declared the Socceroos are going to Russia to win after being appointed Ange Postecoglou’s successor.
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Van Marwijk, 65, will be unveiled in Australia next week after Football Federation Australia confirmed his appointment on Thursday following a meeting in Holland.
The Dutchman looks set to adopt the same physical game style infamously deployed by the Holland team he led to the 2010 World Cup final.
Van Marwijk will spend the next six weeks scouting before picking his first squad for the March friendlies against Norway and Colombia in Europe, van Marwijk’s only games before picking an extended squad for June’s World Cup.
FFA 10 days ago announced a short list but it was effectively a two-horse race with former Germany and US boss Jurgen Klinsmann. Van Marwijk’s “local knowledge” and lesser wage demands were decisive.
Sydney FC’s Graham Arnold is likely to be confirmed within weeks as van Marwijk’s successor post Russia.
Socceroos assistant Ante Milicic is likely to stay on for the World Cup, while van Marwijk will bring over several assistants and support staff.
Arnold will most likely head to Russia as an observer, before officially taking over in August before the Socceroos’ defence of the Asian Cup in January 2019 in the United Arab Emirates.
The Socceroos remain $4 outsiders with TAB to advance from Group B against France ($1.05), Denmark ($1.55) and Peru ($3.30) but van Marwijk wanted to match countryman Guus Hiddink’s feats by advancing to the knockout phase.
“I want to thank (FFA) for the confidence they have shown in me. My response to them has been that we are not going to Russia just to be competitive. I want to win our matches,” van Marwijk said.
“I know a lot about the players and how the team has been playing after coaching against them for the two World Cup qualifiers, in 2016 and in June last year.
“I have also been impressed by the national team set-up that the FFA has developed over the past few years.”
As revealed by the Herald Sun, van Marwijk has been the frontrunner throughout.
“This is a great result for Australian football. Bert van Marwijk is world class,’’ FFA chairman Steven Lowy said.
“In Bert Van Marwijk we have a manager who can achieve great things with this team. And we will ensure they have the resources necessary to give them the (best) of preparation.”
Talks between van Marwijk and Saudi Arabia broke down after he qualified it for Russia for the first time since 2006, leaving him in contention for the Socceroos.
david.davutovic@news.com.au
THE GAFFER
Name: Bert Van Marwijk
Age: 65
Nationality: Dutch
INTERNATIONAL TEAMS
Netherlands (2008-12), Saudi Arabia (2015-17)
CLUBS
Fortuna Sittard (1998-2000), Feyenoord (2000-04, 2007-08), Borussia Dortmund (2004-06), Hamburger SV (2013-14)
FOR THE RECORD
— Coached Netherlands to 2010 World Cup final
— Led Feyenoord to 2002 UEFA Cup
— Played one international for the Netherlands
— More than 450 club matches in playing career
SOCCEROOS PREDECESSORS
Ange Postecoglou (2013-17 — Australian)
Holger Osieck (2010-13 — German)
Pim Verbeek (2007-10 — Dutch)
Graham Arnold (2006-07 — Australian)
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