I thought I would start this topic to get some discussion going on everyones opinions of who might be taking over the helm after Guus leaves.
I also found this article listing Martin O'Neil as a contender. Personaly I wouldn't mind O'Neil, I would actually prefer him over Houllier.
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/...p;TEAMHD=soccer
Martin O'Neill has emerged as a shock candidate for the Australia post which will be vacated by Guus Hiddink after the World Cup.
However, O'Neill will only be offered the job if first choice target Gerard Houllier rejects the chance to take over.
Houllier has a year left on his Lyon contract and the Football Federation Australia have given him until July 10 to make his decision.
O'Neill was considered for the England job but the FA opted for Steve McClaren, and he was also linked with posts at Middlesbrough and Newcastle.
However, the ex-Celtic boss is still out of work after leaving Parkhead due to his wife Geraldine's ill health.
FFA chief executive John O'Neill admitted:"He is somebody we plan to talk to in the near future".
"He's obviously of a high calibre and after a spell out of the game is back on the job market.
"He was one we looked at before Guus Hiddink accepted the job and we are keen to meet him and discuss what he might bring to the job."
However he also said that they would not be rushed into a decision, and it would be wise to 'let the dust settle after the World Cup' before making any appointment.
It is also understood that Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has expressed an interest in the job.
Full Version: Pim Verbeek
Yeah, was going to start a thread on this eventually 
Personally, I really rate O'Neill as a truly superb coach and a coach who would be brilliant for Australia. Houllier......well he didn't exactly do too well at Liverpool but has been decent at Lyon. As for Allardyce, I'm not too fussed either way.
If only Guus would stay....
Personally, I really rate O'Neill as a truly superb coach and a coach who would be brilliant for Australia. Houllier......well he didn't exactly do too well at Liverpool but has been decent at Lyon. As for Allardyce, I'm not too fussed either way.
If only Guus would stay....
I would hate having Houllier or Allardyce as Australian coaches. Martin O'Neill would be a top choice though.
What do you think about 'big phil' luis felipe scolari? Hes out of contract with portugal after the world cup. maybe lowy should look at him as well??
QUOTE(donkeykwong @ Jun 24 2006, 09:50 PM) 
What do you think about 'big phil' luis felipe scolari? Hes out of contract with portugal after the world cup. maybe lowy should look at him as well??
Would be good, but I don't see it happening to be honest. From a professional standpoint and from the rumour mill circulating thoughts that he'll continue with Portugal until after Euro 2008 based on this World Cup performance (verbal agreement so they say).
Socceroos Could Turn To Sam
By Mark Heys - June 23 2006
Sam Allardyce's hopes of managing an international nation may not appear to be completely dashed after it emerged that Australia could look to the Bolton boss to replace Guus Hiddink.
The Herald Sun newspaper claims that the Australian Football Assocation are looking at either Allardyce, Martin O'Neill or Gerard Houllier to replace Dutchman Hiddink who will stand down from his position after this summers World Cup Finals.
Allardyce and O'Neill only recently missed out to Steve McClaren to become the next England manager, whilst Houllier has done well back in his native France with Olympique Lyonaisse (Lyon).
Former Liverpool boss Houllier is beleived to be the main contender to become the next Socceroos coach and has apparently been given a deadline until July 10th in which to make up his mind.
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God no! NOOOOOO!!!! I will cry my heart out if we got big Sam. I will cry to see the Socceroos and Australian soccer to be played negatively ala Bolton.
By Mark Heys - June 23 2006
Sam Allardyce's hopes of managing an international nation may not appear to be completely dashed after it emerged that Australia could look to the Bolton boss to replace Guus Hiddink.
The Herald Sun newspaper claims that the Australian Football Assocation are looking at either Allardyce, Martin O'Neill or Gerard Houllier to replace Dutchman Hiddink who will stand down from his position after this summers World Cup Finals.
Allardyce and O'Neill only recently missed out to Steve McClaren to become the next England manager, whilst Houllier has done well back in his native France with Olympique Lyonaisse (Lyon).
Former Liverpool boss Houllier is beleived to be the main contender to become the next Socceroos coach and has apparently been given a deadline until July 10th in which to make up his mind.
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God no! NOOOOOO!!!! I will cry my heart out if we got big Sam. I will cry to see the Socceroos and Australian soccer to be played negatively ala Bolton.
Oh no!!!!! Just heard on Sports Tonight that we've been linked to fucking Eriksson in the English press. Oh god no, Martin O'Neill save us!
what about roger lemere who has just finished with tunisia. he was another name floated about
QUOTE(Courtsy™ @ Jun 25 2006, 05:39 PM)
Oh no!!!!! Just heard on Sports Tonight that we've been linked to fucking Eriksson in the English press. Oh god no, Martin O'Neill save us!
Don't worry, there's no way that'll happen. He'll want to much money.
Let's hope so Will. For our sake.
I reckon, with the exception of Martin O'Neill, there is no British Manager that is good enough to do the Job, no one has the right tactical nous, or man management ability. We have to look at Managers from France or Holland, they are some of the best and most highly qualified in the world. Even maybe a Brazillian coach maybe good.
If Lowy thinks that Houllier is worth going to hell and back for, then maybe it is also worth a shot to try to sway a Mr. Arsene Wegner, arguable the best french manager in the world, and also great tactically, and has fantastic ability with youth teams.
If Lowy thinks that Houllier is worth going to hell and back for, then maybe it is also worth a shot to try to sway a Mr. Arsene Wegner, arguable the best french manager in the world, and also great tactically, and has fantastic ability with youth teams.
Socceroos' coaching post in high demand
The Socceroos' stunning World Cup march has guaranteed they will get a top-drawer coach to replace Russia-bound Guus Hiddink after the tournament.
Australia's surprise qualification for the last 16 has won worldwide attention and respect, with Football Federation Australia chief executive John O'Neill saying the quality of the Socceroos' performances had ramped up the calibre of coaches seeking the job.
The FFA is chasing a big-name to take over from Hiddink, with Frenchman Gerard Houllier and ex-Celtic manager Martin O'Neill among those publicly mentioned.
But with several World Cup coaches likely to be out of work after the tournament because of expiring contracts, it seems there will be no shortage of takers for what is now one of world football's most enticing jobs.
"I've had some expressions of interest since I've been here from some fairly big names," John O'Neill said.
"We wouldn't have got it a year ago. It's a reflection of the fact we've never been on this stage.
"You'd argue we'd be in the top 16 teams in the world now. We beat Japan who are ranked 18th, Croatia are 20-something, could have drawn with Brazil who are ranked No.1.
"We need another Guus Hiddink. What a difference he's made and the further we go in this tournament, quite reputable coaches are approaching us."
The basics the FFA want include someone prepared to spend six months of the year in Australia while the domestic A-League is on, willing to work on an incentive-based contract, and willing to coach coaches and revamp the country's entire coaching system.
That is likely to sink FFA chairman Frank Lowy's hopes of signing ex-Liverpool manager Houllier, who is believed to be baulking at the idea of spending much time in Australia as well as demanding a huge salary.
Australia is likely to cap any head coach's pay at around $3-4 million a year and heavily incentive-based.
"The tier one coach - and there's about five or six of them - they're around the two to four million euro ($A3-6 million) mark a year," O'Neill said.
"Then there's some very good tier two coaches at about a million euros or less.
"We'd like to aim for someone who really wants to do it, at a price that's affordable for us, and as we have with Guus, incentive-based on success.
"We've got to get the right person whose got the football nous, and the cultural compatibility with Australia, and the desire to take us on to the next level."
O'Neill said being able to oversee an overhaul of the Australian coaching and development program would be vital.
"We don't want anyone who's thinking about semi-retirement. You don't want the Socceroos coach to be sitting up in splendid isolation from the rest of the organisation," he said.
"We're trying to reform what has been a neglected coaching and development program at all sort of levels.
"From a moment a kid gets a ball at his feet at the age of eight or nine, to when they get to 17, the technical skills have to have been absolutely ingrained into them from the youngest age."
Current assistant Graham Arnold, who will not get the full-time job, remains under contract until 2008 as he guides the Australian Olympic soccer team towards Beijing.
"Graham will be interim coach until we make a full-time appointment," O'Neill said.
While not yet linked with the post, one coach who could be an ideal match for Australia is Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann.
His future remains unclear and heavily dependent on whether his team gets through the toughest quarter-final of the competition against Argentina this week.
Klinsmann, who lives in California and has an American wife, is young, well-known, polished and speaks excellent English.
He also has radical coaching ideas, including wiring his players up to heart-rate monitors during training and borrowing heavily from American sports philosophy and technology.
But he has also been linked with the US coaching post after the World Cup following the Americans' failure to qualify for the second stage.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=108700
The Socceroos' stunning World Cup march has guaranteed they will get a top-drawer coach to replace Russia-bound Guus Hiddink after the tournament.
Australia's surprise qualification for the last 16 has won worldwide attention and respect, with Football Federation Australia chief executive John O'Neill saying the quality of the Socceroos' performances had ramped up the calibre of coaches seeking the job.
The FFA is chasing a big-name to take over from Hiddink, with Frenchman Gerard Houllier and ex-Celtic manager Martin O'Neill among those publicly mentioned.
But with several World Cup coaches likely to be out of work after the tournament because of expiring contracts, it seems there will be no shortage of takers for what is now one of world football's most enticing jobs.
"I've had some expressions of interest since I've been here from some fairly big names," John O'Neill said.
"We wouldn't have got it a year ago. It's a reflection of the fact we've never been on this stage.
"You'd argue we'd be in the top 16 teams in the world now. We beat Japan who are ranked 18th, Croatia are 20-something, could have drawn with Brazil who are ranked No.1.
"We need another Guus Hiddink. What a difference he's made and the further we go in this tournament, quite reputable coaches are approaching us."
The basics the FFA want include someone prepared to spend six months of the year in Australia while the domestic A-League is on, willing to work on an incentive-based contract, and willing to coach coaches and revamp the country's entire coaching system.
That is likely to sink FFA chairman Frank Lowy's hopes of signing ex-Liverpool manager Houllier, who is believed to be baulking at the idea of spending much time in Australia as well as demanding a huge salary.
Australia is likely to cap any head coach's pay at around $3-4 million a year and heavily incentive-based.
"The tier one coach - and there's about five or six of them - they're around the two to four million euro ($A3-6 million) mark a year," O'Neill said.
"Then there's some very good tier two coaches at about a million euros or less.
"We'd like to aim for someone who really wants to do it, at a price that's affordable for us, and as we have with Guus, incentive-based on success.
"We've got to get the right person whose got the football nous, and the cultural compatibility with Australia, and the desire to take us on to the next level."
O'Neill said being able to oversee an overhaul of the Australian coaching and development program would be vital.
"We don't want anyone who's thinking about semi-retirement. You don't want the Socceroos coach to be sitting up in splendid isolation from the rest of the organisation," he said.
"We're trying to reform what has been a neglected coaching and development program at all sort of levels.
"From a moment a kid gets a ball at his feet at the age of eight or nine, to when they get to 17, the technical skills have to have been absolutely ingrained into them from the youngest age."
Current assistant Graham Arnold, who will not get the full-time job, remains under contract until 2008 as he guides the Australian Olympic soccer team towards Beijing.
"Graham will be interim coach until we make a full-time appointment," O'Neill said.
While not yet linked with the post, one coach who could be an ideal match for Australia is Germany's Jurgen Klinsmann.
His future remains unclear and heavily dependent on whether his team gets through the toughest quarter-final of the competition against Argentina this week.
Klinsmann, who lives in California and has an American wife, is young, well-known, polished and speaks excellent English.
He also has radical coaching ideas, including wiring his players up to heart-rate monitors during training and borrowing heavily from American sports philosophy and technology.
But he has also been linked with the US coaching post after the World Cup following the Americans' failure to qualify for the second stage.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=108700
I can see Houllier fitting in to the job personally or that aussie assistant of Hiddink's taking the position.
Graham Arnold? Hell no, he did a terrible job when we played Bahrain. Would take Eriksson (God forbid) over Arnold.
QUOTE
Mark SCHWARZER (AUS):
It’s hard to lose such a gripping game through a penalty. Despite the defeat I love this game and am thrilled to be a professional footballer. We had a great chance to reach the quarter-finals but we didn’t take it. Guus Hiddink is a fantastic manager. Australia needs to have a European coach in the future too, so that we can hold our own with top European teams. In future the world will not underestimate Australian football.
would accept arnold if he'd agree to take a 2 year position to the asian cup so we can actually test him and see if he's up to it. However this would be a last resort. Don't think he'd agree to that proposition any way.
What about that ange posticoglou guy, if he's still in charge of the youth teams which i think he is he should get the flick from the whole system as hasn't done much since he's been there and has been there for ages
I dont understand why Neeskens cant do it!?
QUOTE(Mr.Beek @ Jun 27 2006, 08:14 PM)
I dont understand why Neeskens cant do it!?
Exactly. I thought a joint head coach of Neeskeens and Arnold would have been good. They would have both known the squad, the system. It would have made the transition much easier. Also there were rumours had these two become head coach, Hiddink might have considered coming back after his Russia stint. Oh well.
QUOTE
offtopic2.gif What about that ange posticoglou guy, if he's still in charge of the youth teams which i think he is he should get the flick from the whole system as hasn't done much since he's been there and has been there for ages
Yeah Posticoglou has been poor. Actually I think the whole youth system needs to be revamped. Our recent youth cup performances have been poor. Thats the only reason I can think of why Lowy wants Houllier. I heard he revamped the French youth system.
BTW how does Houllier manage Lyon? what tactics does he use? Do Lyon play beautiful positive attacking football or do they play negative long ball 'all passes to Owen' Liverpool style of play?
Neeskens has gone to Barca now as assistant manager, which is what IMO is behind these Lucas Neill to Barca rumours.
Lyon are one of the best teams to watch IMO. Great midfield (Diarra and Juninho) with Malouda on the left flank and Fred/Wiltord/Govou/Carew up front, they are beautiful.
Lyon are one of the best teams to watch IMO. Great midfield (Diarra and Juninho) with Malouda on the left flank and Fred/Wiltord/Govou/Carew up front, they are beautiful.
I wish we'd kept Hiddink but we must move on...
Neeskins and Arnold were my 2nd choice but Neeskins has gone now. I'm quite disappointed that happened as I thought they'd do a really good job.
Saying that, I'd like Houllier, he would be great for the technical development of our players. I don't adore the way he coaches but he's proven himself with Lyon.
Would Houllier really want to leave Lyon though?
I think our next coach should be signed on a 3 or 4 year deal.
Neeskins and Arnold were my 2nd choice but Neeskins has gone now. I'm quite disappointed that happened as I thought they'd do a really good job.
Saying that, I'd like Houllier, he would be great for the technical development of our players. I don't adore the way he coaches but he's proven himself with Lyon.
Would Houllier really want to leave Lyon though?
I think our next coach should be signed on a 3 or 4 year deal.
as much as i hate arnold, there are rumours hes leaving to NAC Breda in holland, if we dont appoint anyone soon, will have no coach 
Ange is fucking shit, he only has the job because he won the nsl with(south melbounre or melbourne knights) we need someone technically brilliant to teach the under 17s
Ange is fucking shit, he only has the job because he won the nsl with(south melbounre or melbourne knights) we need someone technically brilliant to teach the under 17s
QUOTE
Neeskens has gone to Barca now as assistant manager, which is what IMO is behind these Lucas Neill to Barca rumours.
Yeah that is true, I remember reading the article which quoted Neeskens saying something along the lines of "I would easily take Neill to Barcelona". I cant remember what he said exactly though.
I wouldn't mind Sven Goran Eriksson as manager. He is pretty good, he is just under enormous pressure in England. I think he would be a good choice
^^ I totally disagree...
The guy has some of the best players in the world and yet, England play some of the worst football ever. Becks doesnt deserve captaincy either.
His decision to take a 17 year old Theo Walcott to the WC is just stupid. Sure the guy might be a future star and all, but this guy hasn't even made 1 senior appearance while at Arsenal.
Surely there are better players and there are like Defoe and Andy Johnson.
http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=95803 <- A thread in the English Soccer section on Sven.
The guy has some of the best players in the world and yet, England play some of the worst football ever. Becks doesnt deserve captaincy either.
His decision to take a 17 year old Theo Walcott to the WC is just stupid. Sure the guy might be a future star and all, but this guy hasn't even made 1 senior appearance while at Arsenal.
Surely there are better players and there are like Defoe and Andy Johnson.
http://www.soccerpulse.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=95803 <- A thread in the English Soccer section on Sven.
I don't understand why they havnt given to the job to the man himself....fossie! Craig Foster, he knows all! 
QUOTE(benfica_maniac @ Jun 30 2006, 05:31 AM)
I wouldn't mind Sven Goran Eriksson as manager. He is pretty good, he is just under enormous pressure in England. I think he would be a good choice
nah, after seeing england vs ecudor, i never wanna see sven managinging any part of australia
QUOTE(PazzaInter @ Jun 30 2006, 08:39 AM)
I don't understand why they havnt given to the job to the man himself....fossie! Craig Foster, he knows all!
hah good point PazzaInter! Fozzie all the way!
QUOTE(Mr.Beek @ Jun 28 2006, 11:14 AM)
I dont understand why Neeskens cant do it!?
i honestly thought hiddink brought him in to replace him once he left..i thought it was a clever move by hiddink to bring him in so that the transition would be easier..but guess i was wrong..
i personally would take houllier over o'neill any day..the last thing i want is a UK coach put in charge of our national team
i think we need a coach who comes from a country where they have a similar style of play to aussies..
as for the ange comments..the guy is pathetic..but who do we have that could replace him? all our better managers/coaches are in the a-league i think..and the rest are just dead crap
QUOTE(Kink @ Jun 30 2006, 11:02 AM)
i honestly thought hiddink brought him in to replace him once he left..i thought it was a clever move by hiddink to bring him in so that the transition would be easier..but guess i was wrong..
i personally would take houllier over o'neill any day..the last thing i want is a UK coach put in charge of our national team
i think we need a coach who comes from a country where they have a similar style of play to aussies..
as for the ange comments..the guy is pathetic..but who do we have that could replace him? all our better managers/coaches are in the a-league i think..and the rest are just dead crap
fozzie! lol
QUOTE(aussiepride2idy @ Jul 1 2006, 12:44 PM)
fozzie! lol
according to les murray last night!! is it actually true you can bet on him? i think les was just making it up but that would be funny.
201 dollars along wit kossie lol
How about Pekerman eh? 
Arrogant dickhead that Pekerman is.
Actually, I wouldn't mind Fossie much. Though I doubt he'd do it.
Actually, I wouldn't mind Fossie much. Though I doubt he'd do it.
In all honesty if I had my choice of any manager in the world I'd love Harry Redknap or Rafa Benitez to manage Australia. Particularly Benitez because I think he is so terrific at bringing up young talent. Look at what hes done with Sissoko. Seriously though I'm not so sure about Gerrard Houllier. Yes he makes alot of wonderful decisions but he also makes some shockers like he did at Liverpool. Luis Filipe Scolari I admire greatly and if his future as Portugal manager is over then I'd love for Australia to go for him. However I've read in the papers that the guy who managed Tunisia in this years world cup is a real chance.
I think the World Game panel should take over coaching of the Socceroos. Les Murray as head coach, Fossie can be skills coach, Tony Polumbo can be strategic coach ...God only knows what we'd do with Damien Lovelock. The pre-match panel would be a whole lot more interesting I reckon
Does anybody know when they are actually going to get a new coach? Do they have a deadline?
QUOTE(fraz @ Jul 1 2006, 07:45 AM)
I think the World Game panel should take over coaching of the Socceroos. Les Murray as head coach, Fossie can be skills coach, Tony Polumbo can be strategic coach ...God only knows what we'd do with Damien Lovelock. The pre-match panel would be a whole lot more interesting I reckon
Plus the Soccerpulse Australian soccer community
Arnold takes temporary charge of Australia
MELBOURNE, July 21 (Reuters) - Assistant coach Graham Arnold will take interim charge of the Australian national team for the next two Asian Cup qualifying matches, Football Federation Australia said on Friday.
Arnold, who was assistant to coach Guus Hiddink during the World Cup finals in Germany, will take charge of the Socceroos for the matches against Kuwait in Sydney on August 16 and Lebanon in Adelaide on August 31.
Dutchman Hiddink left his post to take up the coaching position with the Russian federation after Australia were eliminated in the second round by eventual champions Italy.
FFA, who said Arnold's appointment would assist continuity, made no comment on its search for a full-time successor to Hiddink.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...190&cc=3436
MELBOURNE, July 21 (Reuters) - Assistant coach Graham Arnold will take interim charge of the Australian national team for the next two Asian Cup qualifying matches, Football Federation Australia said on Friday.
Arnold, who was assistant to coach Guus Hiddink during the World Cup finals in Germany, will take charge of the Socceroos for the matches against Kuwait in Sydney on August 16 and Lebanon in Adelaide on August 31.
Dutchman Hiddink left his post to take up the coaching position with the Russian federation after Australia were eliminated in the second round by eventual champions Italy.
FFA, who said Arnold's appointment would assist continuity, made no comment on its search for a full-time successor to Hiddink.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/story?id...190&cc=3436
Your federation is so stupid, did you know that Neeskens wanted to stay, but your federation refused to give him a contract, then he just signed for Barça and then they came back begging.
The group forming is all Hiddink but Neeskens contributed most of the play style :-), he's a very good coach and team him up with Hiddink and he's unstoppable they just pair up so brilliantly, but I think he was the best choice for the job, shame you guys didnt took the chance.
(this is all stated by Neeskens himself btw in Studiosportzomer)
The group forming is all Hiddink but Neeskens contributed most of the play style :-), he's a very good coach and team him up with Hiddink and he's unstoppable they just pair up so brilliantly, but I think he was the best choice for the job, shame you guys didnt took the chance.
(this is all stated by Neeskens himself btw in Studiosportzomer)
Woah, I didn't know we didn't offer him a contract, that is pretty stupid, but we're learning. We definately have to get another dutch coach or technical advisor, or French. Fossie said some good things the other day, and for some reason we've thrown Klinsman in as a possible coach. Its almost as if we're thinking about Klinsman just because he's available.
yeh it was likly hiddink would of came back after his contract finished with russia to take us into the 2010 world cup if they kept neshkens and arnold.
QUOTE
June 13, 2006
OUT-GOING Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has confirmed he was keen on returning to lead Australia to the 2010 World Cup -- but is now ruling it out because he is upset assistants Johan Neeskens and Graham Arnold were not given the opportunity to take the national team reins.
The Dutchman's agent, compatriot Cees van Nieuwen-huizen, last night revealed that Hiddink is off to Russia with regrets. As The Daily Telegraph revealed this week, Hiddink was seriously considering a return to Australia in 2008.
Upset by FFA president Frank Lowy's rejection of the Neeskens-Arnold double act, Hiddink will now either remain with Russia when his contract ends in 2008 -- if things go well -- or accept a World Cup assignment elsewhere, says van Nieuwen-huizen.
"There was a very good chance that Guus may have looked back at his World Cup experience with Australia in a couple of years time and said to himself, 'Hey, I'd like to give that another go because it was so enjoyable'," said van Nieuwen-huizen.
"But that cannot happen now because the structure he wanted left in place in the form of Arnold and Neeskens won't be there."
Van Nieuwen-huizen claims it wasn't just Hiddink lobbying for the pair, world governing body FIFA were also urging the FFA to keep Arnold and Neeskens in tandem as a measure of coaching continuity. They were pushing hard for it with the future of Australian football in mind, he added.
"Neeskens gave the FFA two weeks to make a decision but for whatever reason they didn't come back to him [with an offer until it was too late].
"Guus is surprised Neeskens wasn't kept on because he rates him and Arnold very highly and believes they would have done a great job for Australia.
"Neeskens gave the FFA first option on his future before opting to become Barcelona's new No.2 last week. Whether that turns out to be a mistake only time will tell," added van Nieuwen-huizen.
"Perhaps the Socceroos have a big name lined up who will take them in the right direction. But that won't be Gerard Houllier either because he is too expensive for Australia."
Hiddink won't seek to immediately launch a rebuilding programme with an underachieving Russia, absent from this World Cup and desperate for the success, which their size, wealth and 5.8million registered players demands.
He is already in touch with a German-speaking assistant coach and is likely to stick with the same squad that drew with Spain in a friendly two weeks ago when he takes charge on August 1.
His first match is a Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on September 6 -- the Socceroos' opponents in their final match in Group F at this World Cup.
"Guus has already joked with the Russian football association that with so many registered players he's sure there are 25 good ones to pick from," added van Nieuwen-huizen.
"And will he begin taking some Russian lessons soon to help him communicate with his players."
Hiddink already speaks German, Dutch, English and Spanish but perhaps, most importantly, he is fluent in success. Despite his misgivings over the succession planning of Lowy, van Nieuwen-huizen says Hiddink's memories of Australia will be almost exclusively positive.
"He will look back with fondness and pride in what has been achieved in qualifying for the World Cup but knowing Guus he won't be happy with that," he added.
"He wants to be successful in Germany -- just being there isn't nearly enough for him."
Van Nieuwen-huizen also revealed Hiddink is getting closer to announcing his second-in-command in Russia and it won't be Arnold, whose post World Cup future appears clouded with Lowy seemingly intent on an expensive new man at the top.
OUT-GOING Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink has confirmed he was keen on returning to lead Australia to the 2010 World Cup -- but is now ruling it out because he is upset assistants Johan Neeskens and Graham Arnold were not given the opportunity to take the national team reins.
The Dutchman's agent, compatriot Cees van Nieuwen-huizen, last night revealed that Hiddink is off to Russia with regrets. As The Daily Telegraph revealed this week, Hiddink was seriously considering a return to Australia in 2008.
Upset by FFA president Frank Lowy's rejection of the Neeskens-Arnold double act, Hiddink will now either remain with Russia when his contract ends in 2008 -- if things go well -- or accept a World Cup assignment elsewhere, says van Nieuwen-huizen.
"There was a very good chance that Guus may have looked back at his World Cup experience with Australia in a couple of years time and said to himself, 'Hey, I'd like to give that another go because it was so enjoyable'," said van Nieuwen-huizen.
"But that cannot happen now because the structure he wanted left in place in the form of Arnold and Neeskens won't be there."
Van Nieuwen-huizen claims it wasn't just Hiddink lobbying for the pair, world governing body FIFA were also urging the FFA to keep Arnold and Neeskens in tandem as a measure of coaching continuity. They were pushing hard for it with the future of Australian football in mind, he added.
"Neeskens gave the FFA two weeks to make a decision but for whatever reason they didn't come back to him [with an offer until it was too late].
"Guus is surprised Neeskens wasn't kept on because he rates him and Arnold very highly and believes they would have done a great job for Australia.
"Neeskens gave the FFA first option on his future before opting to become Barcelona's new No.2 last week. Whether that turns out to be a mistake only time will tell," added van Nieuwen-huizen.
"Perhaps the Socceroos have a big name lined up who will take them in the right direction. But that won't be Gerard Houllier either because he is too expensive for Australia."
Hiddink won't seek to immediately launch a rebuilding programme with an underachieving Russia, absent from this World Cup and desperate for the success, which their size, wealth and 5.8million registered players demands.
He is already in touch with a German-speaking assistant coach and is likely to stick with the same squad that drew with Spain in a friendly two weeks ago when he takes charge on August 1.
His first match is a Euro 2008 qualifier against Croatia on September 6 -- the Socceroos' opponents in their final match in Group F at this World Cup.
"Guus has already joked with the Russian football association that with so many registered players he's sure there are 25 good ones to pick from," added van Nieuwen-huizen.
"And will he begin taking some Russian lessons soon to help him communicate with his players."
Hiddink already speaks German, Dutch, English and Spanish but perhaps, most importantly, he is fluent in success. Despite his misgivings over the succession planning of Lowy, van Nieuwen-huizen says Hiddink's memories of Australia will be almost exclusively positive.
"He will look back with fondness and pride in what has been achieved in qualifying for the World Cup but knowing Guus he won't be happy with that," he added.
"He wants to be successful in Germany -- just being there isn't nearly enough for him."
Van Nieuwen-huizen also revealed Hiddink is getting closer to announcing his second-in-command in Russia and it won't be Arnold, whose post World Cup future appears clouded with Lowy seemingly intent on an expensive new man at the top.
QUOTE(Bresciano23 @ Aug 14 2006, 03:44 PM)
Woah, I didn't know we didn't offer him a contract, that is pretty stupid, but we're learning. We definately have to get another dutch coach or technical advisor, or French. Fossie said some good things the other day, and for some reason we've thrown Klinsman in as a possible coach. Its almost as if we're thinking about Klinsman just because he's available.
I don't think he is really. He made his home in the USA. I think the German FA were quite critical of his insistence on commuting to Germany from the USA during his tenure. America are looking for a coach too. They have first dibs- I really don't see Klinsmann coming to Australia.
I think Klinsmann would be excellent [think I've already posted about this at some point] because it's our finishing and general attack where we suffered in the WC. He coaches the sort of game that I think Australian fans would like to see our team play.
If given a choice, what kind of idiot would live in the US if he could live in Australia?? Bring him out with with his family, give him a tour of the place, set him up with a nice North Shore apartment and bob's your uncle. Who in their right mind would go back to america after that?
If given a choice, what kind of idiot would live in the US if he could live in Australia?? Bring him out with with his family, give him a tour of the place, set him up with a nice North Shore apartment and bob's your uncle. Who in their right mind would go back to america after that?
O'Neill still thinks we are a chance at getting Hiddink again if Russia miss qualification for Euro '08. His contract only goes for two years, so 
Time to look for someone else now... who is left for us?
We've been screwed by Dick! 442's headline is pretty good as well - "What a Dick!"
Seriously though I didn't believe all the reports saying he was ours as I thought this could potentially happen. I wonder what was actually in this contract which the FFA apparently have with him? Let's hope the lawyers know what they're doing. If he isn't that keen and doesn't really want to coach us then I wouldn't bother with him, even if the contract does work out in our favour.
The task of getting a high quality European coach is always going to be a challenge as the FFA want them to spend some time in Australia instead of being just based in Europe as has been the case in the past. We need someone more committed than that if we want to progress. Plenty of good lesser known coaches out there but I hope they have some good back up plans as it isn't that long until WC qualifiers to begin and Baan said he won't do it and we don't want to be stuck with Arnold do we.
Latest rumours seem to mention Klinsman but I can't see that happening as he's to expensive and he wouldn't even spend much time in Germany so how the hell will he ever get to spend much time in Australia which is what is required. Same old other candidates have been mentioned but I think it will be a while until the FFA recover from this.
442's headline is pretty good as well - "What a Dick!"Seriously though I didn't believe all the reports saying he was ours as I thought this could potentially happen. I wonder what was actually in this contract which the FFA apparently have with him? Let's hope the lawyers know what they're doing. If he isn't that keen and doesn't really want to coach us then I wouldn't bother with him, even if the contract does work out in our favour.
The task of getting a high quality European coach is always going to be a challenge as the FFA want them to spend some time in Australia instead of being just based in Europe as has been the case in the past. We need someone more committed than that if we want to progress. Plenty of good lesser known coaches out there but I hope they have some good back up plans as it isn't that long until WC qualifiers to begin and Baan said he won't do it and we don't want to be stuck with Arnold do we.
Latest rumours seem to mention Klinsman but I can't see that happening as he's to expensive and he wouldn't even spend much time in Germany so how the hell will he ever get to spend much time in Australia which is what is required. Same old other candidates have been mentioned but I think it will be a while until the FFA recover from this.
My number one preference now - not that I ever liked Advocaat by the way - is Neeskens. He knows most of the team after being Guus' right-hand man, has managerial experience at both club and national level (albeit as an assistant), is Dutch - so basically, he ticks all the boxes for mine.
Why we didn't appoint him when Hiddink left astounded me then and still does now - we'd probably be champions of Asia and not wasted the last 18 months going backwards...
Why we didn't appoint him when Hiddink left astounded me then and still does now - we'd probably be champions of Asia and not wasted the last 18 months going backwards...
QUOTE
FFA facing uphill task to get top coach Down Under
FOOTBALL Federation Australia technical director Rob Baan has nominated German World Cup coach Juergen Klinsmann as the man who should be Australia's No. 1 target for the Socceroos' coaching job following the embarrassing backflip by Dutchman Dick Advocaat.
Advocaat, who had signed a deal to take over, has spurned Australia at the 11th hour, opting to stay with Zenit St Petersburg, the club side he has just led to the Russian championship. The fact that his Russian paymasters, bankrolled by giant utility Gazprom, have offered him $4 million illustrates one of the difficulties Australia faces in its desire to appoint a world-class coach.
Such men are in short supply, in high demand and command huge salaries.
FFA has just announced losses of some $11 million, so unless FFA's chairman, billionaire Frank Lowy, is prepared to underwrite a superstar coach's salary, then it is unlikely Australia can afford a candidate of the calibre of Klinsmann, Italian Fabio Capello, Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard, or former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The other difficulty Australia faces is its geography and despite its strong World Cup showing and improving domestic league, it is just not a big or sexy enough job to attract the heaviest hitters in the game unless they can obtain a lucrative pay packet and organise the job to suit them. Invariably, that would mean spending most of their time in Europe.
Guus Hiddink, who has achieved mythical status here for getting Australia through a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup in 2006, was able to fix things to suit himself, remaining at PSV Eindhoven and, for most of his tenure, coaching by remote control through assistant Graham Arnold.
Despite the desire for a hands-on big-name coach to base himself here, whoever is appointed might as well be based in Europe because most of Australia's better players are there, and will be for the foreseeable future.
The Socceroos are an improving side, but coaching the team is not one of the standout jobs in world football.
The coaching position at every Premier League club in England would be deemed to be a bigger job, as would similar positions at most of the clubs in Italy's Serie A and Spain's Primera Liga. The powerhouse clubs in the top European leagues would be regarded as higher profile positions, while many coaches would see a position at an ambitious club striving to gain promotion to the English Championship as a bigger job than coaching Australia.
While Advocaat's decision clearly undermines Australia's credibility — FFA is planning to take legal action for compensation — it has come at a propitious time as the coaching marketplace will be swelled over the next week with well-credentialled candidates as countries fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
Seriously I think Juergen Klinsmann is the best option to go after. He is one of the high profile coaches who I think we may have the slightest possibility of luring here.
FOOTBALL Federation Australia technical director Rob Baan has nominated German World Cup coach Juergen Klinsmann as the man who should be Australia's No. 1 target for the Socceroos' coaching job following the embarrassing backflip by Dutchman Dick Advocaat.
Advocaat, who had signed a deal to take over, has spurned Australia at the 11th hour, opting to stay with Zenit St Petersburg, the club side he has just led to the Russian championship. The fact that his Russian paymasters, bankrolled by giant utility Gazprom, have offered him $4 million illustrates one of the difficulties Australia faces in its desire to appoint a world-class coach.
Such men are in short supply, in high demand and command huge salaries.
FFA has just announced losses of some $11 million, so unless FFA's chairman, billionaire Frank Lowy, is prepared to underwrite a superstar coach's salary, then it is unlikely Australia can afford a candidate of the calibre of Klinsmann, Italian Fabio Capello, Barcelona's Frank Rijkaard, or former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho.
The other difficulty Australia faces is its geography and despite its strong World Cup showing and improving domestic league, it is just not a big or sexy enough job to attract the heaviest hitters in the game unless they can obtain a lucrative pay packet and organise the job to suit them. Invariably, that would mean spending most of their time in Europe.
Guus Hiddink, who has achieved mythical status here for getting Australia through a penalty shootout to reach the World Cup in 2006, was able to fix things to suit himself, remaining at PSV Eindhoven and, for most of his tenure, coaching by remote control through assistant Graham Arnold.
Despite the desire for a hands-on big-name coach to base himself here, whoever is appointed might as well be based in Europe because most of Australia's better players are there, and will be for the foreseeable future.
The Socceroos are an improving side, but coaching the team is not one of the standout jobs in world football.
The coaching position at every Premier League club in England would be deemed to be a bigger job, as would similar positions at most of the clubs in Italy's Serie A and Spain's Primera Liga. The powerhouse clubs in the top European leagues would be regarded as higher profile positions, while many coaches would see a position at an ambitious club striving to gain promotion to the English Championship as a bigger job than coaching Australia.
While Advocaat's decision clearly undermines Australia's credibility — FFA is planning to take legal action for compensation — it has come at a propitious time as the coaching marketplace will be swelled over the next week with well-credentialled candidates as countries fail to qualify for Euro 2008.
QUOTE(Courtsy @ Nov 19 2007, 11:58 AM)
Why we didn't appoint him when Hiddink left astounded me then and still does now - we'd probably be champions of Asia and not wasted the last 18 months going backwards...
Damn right. He was committed, over the Australian lifestyle and the players loved him. Knows the dutch system inside out and money wouldn't have been a big issue either. Instead he went to Barcelona to Rijkaard's assistant which just goes to show how highly regarded he is. Have seen that Rijkaard has actually been linked to this position himself but that is absolute ribbish.
I don't know what is all the hype with Klinsmann.. i dont think he has won anything with any country or club, ill give u that he managed to get germany to 3rd place but if u look into reports it was joachim low who was doing all the work (coaching wise) and also germany playing in germany is a phenomenal advantage. the USA tried to get him but he wanted to control everything in their fa and they rightly the USA turned him down.
I think we should look for a dutch influence but we all know that atm there isn't many quality managers willing to live in austraila. Still can't believe we didnt get neeskens.... maybe we could look into getting some of the top dutch club managers maybe try again for van Gaal....
I think we should look for a dutch influence but we all know that atm there isn't many quality managers willing to live in austraila. Still can't believe we didnt get neeskens.... maybe we could look into getting some of the top dutch club managers maybe try again for van Gaal....
Give Neeskens a shot, can't be any worse than Arnold.
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