Yokohama bending over backwards to lure Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou will receive unqualified support to give him the best chance of success at Yokohama F. Marinos, with the former Socceroos boss expected to be unveiled as the new coach of of the J.League side.

Ange Postecoglou

Ange Postecoglou Source: Getty Images

That's the message from the City Football Group (CFG), part owners of the Japanese giant, who are hoping to lure  Postecoglou to the club following his recent shock Socceroos resignation.

After Graham Arnold's ill-fated stint as the first Australian coach in the J.League, CFG are offering Postecglou all the assurances that he won't suffer the same fate.

Postecoglou discussed the position with CFG executive Brian Marwood during the Englishman's visit to Australia at the end of last month.

He has been assured he will have all the resources and support he needs to achieve success in a league where Arnold suffered only ignominy.

CFG own a 20 per cent share in the club, whose French coach Erick Mombaerts stepped down at the end of his third season after the club were confirmed as fifth-placed finishers last weekend.
The Abu Dhabi-based power brokers, who are majority owners of Melbourne City, control Yokohama's football operations department.

Marwood has worked in recent seasons to change the orthodox Japanese culture of the club and create an environment able to give the likes of Postecoglou a favorable eco-system in which to flourish.

Arnold enjoyed no such largesse during his ill-fated eight-game stint with Vegalta Sendai back in 2014.

Having guided Central Coast to the A-League title the previous year, Arnold left the Mariners just over a month into the new season.

But Vegalta's backroom staff, including assistant coach Susumu Watanabe, fiercely resisted Arnold's mantras, effectively dooming him in the job from day one.

While Postecoglou's preference would be a European gig, he has not been able to find a club willing to take a punt on an Australian coach, despite his glowing track record.

Hence the enhanced likelihood of the 52-year-old accepting a position at Yokohama where he will have the unqualified support of his employers and a chance to burnish his reputation both within the confines of the CFG, and beyond.


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2 min read
Published 5 December 2017 4:21pm
By Dave Lewis

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