mattx
16-07-2007, 02:32 PM
From Melbourne newspaper The Age
Advocaat to be new Socceroo boss
Michael Cockerill, Bangkok
July 17, 2007
FOOTBALL Federation Australia's obsession with all things Dutch is set to continue, with Dick Advocaat poised to replace Graham Arnold as national coach next year.
While Arnold ostensibly has a contract until 2010, his role after the Asian Cup will be to focus on qualifying the Olympic (under-23) team for the Beijing Olympics. FFA also wants Arnold, possibly in rotation with technical director Rob Baan, to continue coaching the Socceroos on a game-by-game basis until Advocaat is installed.
Australia has a match against Argentina confirmed for September 11, while another home match against China has been pencilled in for October.
Advocaat's two-year deal with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg expires in November.
Advocaat, 59, was interviewed by FFA in mid-2005, but Guus Hiddink got the nod. But after a year-long search to find a permanent successor to Hiddink, it is believed FFA is close to finalising a deal for Advocaat to guide the Socceroos through the 2010 World Cup campaign.
He is a former national coach of the Netherlands, but has experience with Asian football, having coached South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in the past four years.
It is believed FFA chairman Frank Lowy will fund Advocaat's wage personally. FFA's financial predicament will be worsened if the Socceroos don't win the Asian Cup, as it will miss out on $1.5 million for qualifying for the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Things are looking up!
Advocaat to be new Socceroo boss
Michael Cockerill, Bangkok
July 17, 2007
FOOTBALL Federation Australia's obsession with all things Dutch is set to continue, with Dick Advocaat poised to replace Graham Arnold as national coach next year.
While Arnold ostensibly has a contract until 2010, his role after the Asian Cup will be to focus on qualifying the Olympic (under-23) team for the Beijing Olympics. FFA also wants Arnold, possibly in rotation with technical director Rob Baan, to continue coaching the Socceroos on a game-by-game basis until Advocaat is installed.
Australia has a match against Argentina confirmed for September 11, while another home match against China has been pencilled in for October.
Advocaat's two-year deal with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg expires in November.
Advocaat, 59, was interviewed by FFA in mid-2005, but Guus Hiddink got the nod. But after a year-long search to find a permanent successor to Hiddink, it is believed FFA is close to finalising a deal for Advocaat to guide the Socceroos through the 2010 World Cup campaign.
He is a former national coach of the Netherlands, but has experience with Asian football, having coached South Korea and the United Arab Emirates in the past four years.
It is believed FFA chairman Frank Lowy will fund Advocaat's wage personally. FFA's financial predicament will be worsened if the Socceroos don't win the Asian Cup, as it will miss out on $1.5 million for qualifying for the 2009 Confederations Cup.
Things are looking up!