Socceroos plead for coach with same commitment to attack as Ange Postecoglou, as hunt for successor starts

SENIOR members of the Socceroos have sought assurances from Football Federation Australia that the replacement for Ange Postecoglou will have a similar commitment to an attacking and proactive style, and not return to the pragmatism of previous coaches.

SENIOR members of the Socceroos have sought assurances from Football Federation Australia that the replacement for Ange Postecoglou will have a similar commitment to an attacking and proactive style, and not return to the pragmatism of previous coaches.

As the players as much as the fans began the process of coming to terms with Postecoglou’s resignation, discussions had already been had about the future direction of the team if he did decide to quit.

TURMOIL: Ange exit could be start of chaos

CONTENDERS: Who will replace Ange?

ANALYSIS: Why Ange is walking away

Several members of the squad made clear to team officials at their most recent camp that they want to continue with the “Australian brand” of football Postecoglou instigated to leave behind Holger Osieck’s prosaic style.

Though there is an acceptance that finding a replica is impossible, particularly given Postecoglou’s intense belief in attacking at all costs, the players’ view will give FFA officials food for thought in considering their next appointment.

Socceroos players celebrate after Mile Jedinak scored against Honduras in their World Cup playoff match.

Several players made clear their views on his departure via social media, with Tim Cahill declaring his “leadership and beliefs are infectious… I’m proud that I had the chance to share his journey with him and witness his love for our country.

“The most important part was the belief he instilled in us to play a style of football that could test any team we came up against.”

Defender Trent Sainsbury said that Postecoglou “gave me my shot with the national team and I can never forget that. The belief and confidence he’s instilled in this team that will keep us on the path to great things.”

Assistant coach Ante Milicic is almost certain to represent the Socceroos at next week’s World Cup draw, and the next key date beyond that is a friendly in March.

The new man will be in place well before that, though much of the planning for Australia’s World Cup campaign has already been done.

But the defence of the Asian Cup won by Postecoglou in January 2015 looms in less than 14 months, and FFA CEO David Gallop confirmed he had to weigh up whether to seek a new coach for that period or for the whole four and a half year cycle to the next World Cup.

“Both options are open to us and it’s too early to say which one we’ll take,” he said. “We want to be successful in Russia, we need to continue a lot of the things already in place. But we also have to have an eye on the future too.

“As Ange said, we’ve got to where we’ve got to because we had an eye on the future four years ago. It would be really important to have that as one of our criteria as well.

“Whether that means a short-term appointment to get us through Russia, perhaps through the Asian Cup, and then something after that; or someone who’s the full cycle now, it’s too early to say.”

On the thorny question of whether the new coach would be Australian, Gallop made clear his preference – but noted that circumstances might prevent that.

“There’s enormous advantages in having an Australian in this position: a deep interest in the A-League, deep interest in the junior national teams and the pathways, an understanding of football’s place in the Australian landscape. All of that is important. But it doesn’t guarantee we can appoint an Australian. So we’ll take our time and make sure we get the right person for the job.”

Originally published as Socceroos plead for coach with same commitment to attack as Ange Postecoglou, as hunt for successor starts