A slight case of bloggers block for most of the week… Finally back on board! So, here are my thoughts on Pim leaving.
After a sturdy and tiring two years with the FFA Pim Verbeek has decided he will not be re-signing as coach of the Socceroos. I think this is a good decision on all accounts. Pim’s done a very good job – but as he’s said the job is quite a demanding one and I think the pressure of holding such a good record bears a little too much weight.
In his 27 matches as boss Verbeek has lead the team to 15 wins, 8 draws and only 4 losses as well as qualification for both World Cup and Asian Cup. I think a lot of this success, although of course the players have a lot to do with it, is thanks to his hard work. Scouting across Europe, Asia and Australia as well as games in these three continents whilst having your family back in Europe is no easy task.
So, now the FFA is on the hunt for a new coach… It seems to be a shared consensus that at this stage it’s still critical we have an outside influence, I think a European is best. It’ll be interesting to see who comes up…
I think a coach needs to be a lot more than an ex-player with a FIFA coaching certificate. A professional player’s insight into the game is invaluable, however, it’s not enough. Besides the technical and tactical aspects of the game the most vital aspect to a good coach is his people skills and I think Pim did a good job of this.
Of course, I don’t really know – in the end only the players are the only ones who can really assess this, however, through the media’s eyes (always a little warped) he’s done a good job of appearing to be calm, collected and never too irrational. He seems to be calculated in the way he shares information and the choices he makes. Although, sometimes a little harsh I think his honesty is refreshing, however, at the same time he does come across with some warmth – I think it’s important to always be a little bit human.
1 comment:
The next 4 years are of the utmost important for football in Australia.
Doing well in Asia and qualifying for the next WC will be massive tasks, given the already tough task of coaching our nation, with travel logistics, scouting players and actually getting a squad together harder than most other nations, it is clear the selection of the next national coach will be the biggest in our history to date.
On top of all that we know about how tough the job is, the new coach will probably be without half the current team. How many of these guys will be backing up for the next world cup: Schwarzer, Neill, Moore, Chippers, Grella, Emerton, Bresciano, Kewell?
Pim's done good, and we need to improve on this, not select a coach who will do the same or go backwards.
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