Postecoglou speaks on coaching future

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou has spoken for the first time since it was reported that he will quit the national team after Australia's World Cup qualifying playoffs against Honduras next month.

Ange Postecoglou

Australia's head coach Ange Postecoglou Source: AFP

Reports emerged Wednesday last week, the day after the Socceroos sealed their place in the playoff with a 2-1 win over Syria, that Postecoglou would quit his post after the Honduras playoff whether or not Australia book their place in the World Cup or not.

Postecoglou, who was speaking at the NAB Celebration of Football Luncheon, refused to give a straight answer when asked about the reports.

Instead he joked that all the speculation had distracted from his controversial 'back three' and taken the spotlight off Football Federation Australia who have been dogged by an inability to find a consensus on a new governance model for the sport. 

"Look it's the first question my wife asked me when I got home the next day (after the Syria clash)," Postecoglou said.

"It's been a hell of a talking point, and it has served its purpose because no one is talking about the back three anymore. No one is talking about the (FFA) congress, so (FFA CEO) David (Gallop) is really happy," Postecoglou joked.

"It's been interesting to hear it all play out, because I haven't said anything.

"I get the interest in it, some of the commentary around it is a bit bewildering for me."
Postecoglou, who is contracted until the end of the World Cup cycle, insisted his intention was not to keep people guessing,  but just to remain focused on the Honduras matches.

"The reality of it is, my focus is these next two games (against Honduras), because if we don't get through these next two games then there is no decision to make," he said.

"It's not because I'm leaving it out there for people to talk about or have conjecture about it, it's just how I have set up the (internal Socceroos) environment like that. 

"I say to the players every time they walk into camp that we've all got 10 days, two games.

"I can't guarantee even if we qualify for the World Cup I can't guarantee that all those players are going to be there. 

"I'm not going to go out there and start thinking about what happens post these two games, because they are just too important.

"Some people are trying to figure out a reason why (I haven't commented on the reports), it's certainly not because I'm not enjoying it (coaching the national team). 

"This is the greatest honour you could possibly have. I love every minute of coaching my country. I know I'm in a pretty special place."

When pressed on whether this answer would suffice the fans and media wanting to know what his plans where should Australia qualify to the World Cup, Postecoglou again was evasive.
"I don't really care to be honest, it's not what is important to me," he said.

"The last coach (Holger Osieck) qualified for the World Cup and he wasn't there when it came around. So there are no guarantees about anything in life.

"For me the most important thing is we get the job done in the next two games. All the other stuff whether it's speculation or criticism of tactics is just noise. "

Australia play the first leg of their World Cup qualifying playoff away to Honduras on November 10 with the return leg in Sydney on November 15.


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4 min read
Published 19 October 2017 8:33pm
Updated 19 October 2017 8:38pm
Source: SBS The World Game


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