List shortens for Socceroos new coach

[Red-4-Life]

FOOTBALL Federation Australia officials are just days away from signing a new Socceroos boss until the 2014 World Cup.

FOOTBALL Federation Australia officials are just days away from signing a new Socceroos boss until the 2014 World Cup.

Veteran Dutchman Leo Beenhakker - current Technical Director of Feyenoord - appears to be high on the shortlist to replace compatriot Pim Verbeek.

However, the revered chief may have to break his contract with Feyenoord, which ends on June 30 next year, to lead the Socceroos for a friendly against Slovenia next month.

An FFA spokesperson yesterday confirmed that the FFA's head of national teams and football development, John Boultbee, and technical director, Han Berger, are currently in Europe.

"We're down to a list of three or four candidates," said the spokesperson.

"If we haven't appointed a coach by the Slovenia match then I dare say he would be in place by September."

The Socceroos are scheduled to meet Switzerland on September 3, followed by Poland four days later in Europe.

Berger, who played a part in helping to select Dutchman Rini Coolen as Adelaide United's new manager, forms one part of a five-man FFA committee, along with chief executive Ben Buckley, former Socceroo and board member Jack Reilly and Boultbee.

The FFA selection committee appears intent on securing a new boss with the most impressive CV but, at the same time, won't break the estimated $2-3 million a year budget set aside for the post.

Beenhakker, 67, has firmed purely because of his impressive managerial career and his willingness to work with the current national team's staff.

It's understood that dual Dutch World Cup finalist Arie Haan, former Japan 2002 World Cup boss Philippe Troussier and former Cameroon World Cup coach, Frenchman Paul Le Guen, were contacted by the FFA once Verbeek's future with Morocco became public in April.

While 2006 Italian World Cup winning manager Marcello Lippi's name was tossed into the melting pot, Italian media rejected claims that the Tuscan was affordable.

Lippi's base salary was estimated to be $6 million a year before he quit the national team, following what was its worst World Cup performance on record.

Troussier - current General Manager of Japanese third tier side FC Ryukyu - was pipped for the job in 2007 because he wanted to bring his own support staff.

Verbeek was content to work with staff already in the national team's system after Dick Advocaat won the gig but rejected it after deciding to remain with Russian club Zenit St Petersburg three years ago.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/soc ... 5894066128

[the_gun]

im not a fan of beenhakker.

[ozzie owl]

So how many on the list now?

[Steelinho]

Troussier? Dear God, no thank you. If the FFA choose Troussier, bail. Bail with all your might.

So how many on the list now?

Might want to read the article.

"We're down to a list of three or four candidates," said the spokesperson.

Also, I'd just like to point this one out...

... after grenache Advocaat won the gig...

I laughed.

[Loppermann]

... after grenache Advocaat won the gig...

I laughed.

ITT: when swear filters go too far
I've seen the title of Moby Dick sensored before

[the_gun]

whats wrong with the dick

what, are we in primary school or something? should not be a censored word. agree with Loppermann

[Steelinho]

Nobody can even be called Richard on FootballNews.

[Outlaw 2.0]

im not a fan of beenhakker.

much prefer Issahakker

[guti]

Martin Jol mentioned in the paper today due to the fact that Ajax are selling all his players.

[Chade]

Martin Jol mentioned in the paper today due to the fact that Ajax are selling all his players.

Fulham would be in with a shout for him first, you'd imagine.