Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Frank Farina
Four Diegos Profile:
Socceroo coach 1999 – 2005
Overseas Clubs:
Player: Club Brugge (Belgium), Bari (Italy), Strasbourg (France)
NSL Clubs:
Player: Canberra City, Sydney City Hakoah, Marconi, Brisbane Strikers
NSL / A-league Clubs:
Coach: Brisbane Strikers, Marconi, Brisbane Roar
Green & Gold Honors:
Playing: Socceroo appearances: 70 Goals: 14
World Cup campaigns: 1985, 1989 & 1993
Other:
Young Socceroos World cup representative
Coach: Socceroos – World Cup Campaign 2001
Achievements: Confederation Cup 2001 - 3rd place
Diegos Verdict:
Frank Farina is one of a select few Australians who succeeded in carving out a celebrated career in the unforgiving world of international footy.
He has done it all, banging in goals galore in elite European competition, club and international football.
He has also had to endure many, many, many Socceroo World Cup failures as a player and now coach.
Post Socceroos Frankie coached Brisbane Roar to various degrees of success. He left the Roar acrimoniously in 2009 after a night on fine wine and the officious breath testing work of an early rising police officer.
Irrespective of how it ended congratulations Frankie. You're a Four Diegos legend amigo!
Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Frank Farina
The new coach of the Socceroos is …
Farina talks to the Diegos at the 1999 Press Conference…
Diegos: “Frank congratulations on your historical appointment.”
Farina: “Well coming from you blokes that’s a real honour.”
Diegos: “We hope that at the eleventh hour just prior to a cut throat World Cup qualifier in South America we can pick up the phone and ring you direct for all the tactics and the news…”
Farina: “No problem you ‘Dagos’ …err sorry Diegos. You know I’ll do anything for you guys.”
Diegos: “You were the first Aussie to prance around the Italian Serie A and you’re the first Australian born coach to be appointed to the Socceroo job. Will you be the first Australian coach to qualify for the World Cup and dam it, go on to win the bloody thing?’
Farina: “Look guys I think we’re getting to far ahead of ourselves.
I’m very honoured and I suppose I haven’t come down to earth just yet but that is the goal. Obviously that’s the aim of any Socceroo coach and mine isn’t any different.”
Diegos: “What are your plans with the overseas based players? How are you going to tackle that issue?”
Farina: “It is a major issue and it always has been.
I won’t fool anyone by saying that I’m going to come in and fix everything. We will still have small problems but it’s something that I will be concentrating on. I really don’t foresee to many major problems.”
Diegos: “How do you personally feel? Do you have a tear in the eye? Do you feel nervous? Confident? Do you feel pumped?
Farina: “All of the above amigos.
It’s a wonderful feeling and it hasn’t really sunk in just yet. It’s an immense feeling of honour and pride. I fully understand the responsibility that goes with this job and I hope that I’ll be able to live up to that.”
Diegos: “Will you be going down to Marconi and shouting a veal parmagiana to all your friends there?”
Farina: “You betcha amigos. I might throw in a bit of the old vino as well.”
Diegos: “By all reports the other candidates you were up against also interviewed beautifully.
Would you be looking at using the other guys, Eddie (Krncevic), David (Mitchell) and Angie (Postecoglou) in any capacity?”
Farina: “Definitely. That goes without saying.
All those candidates are all friends of mind and I’ll be definitely talking to them and asking them different opinions on things. I don’t profess to know everything and I’m sure that they will have a big input in what we are doing.”
Diegos: “Michael Cockerill wrote that when you were a teenager at the AIS in Canberra a number of the fellow scholarship holders ridiculed your dress sense.
Are you having the last laugh now and have you personally selected the outfit that you’re wearing today? Is it Australian made?
Farina: “It is. I’ve got the little hat on my head with the umbrella on top.”
Soft Sombrero Moment Press Conference Sydney August 1999
Soccer Australia Commissioner, Tony Labbozzetta talks about the historical appointment of Frank Farina as Socceroo coach…
Diegos: “It’s been confirmed. Frank Farina has been installed as the new coach of the Socceroos. We are now moving into unchartered territory with Farina being the first Australia born Socceroo coach.
It’s a special moment watching history being made?”
Labbozzetta: “Yes it is an historical event given that he is the first post-war Australian born player to take on the position.
Frank is a person who has achieved everything that an Australian player would want to achieve at all levels. Now he is at the pinnacle of another level and that is as national coach of Australia.
Frank’s interview was very positive and everything seems to be looking up for the future of our game. All the other candidates it must be said were very impressive and are great ambassadors for the game and we can be satisfied as Australians that we have a wealth of talent here to draw on in the future.”
Diegos: “Personally are you on a emotional roller coaster? Are you happy that Farina is the national coach but sad that he has had to give up the Marconi job to take it on?”
Labbozzetta: “I’m happy for Frank because I always knew that his aim was to be national coach.
I recall when we first interviewed him for the Marconi job he made it clear that he had to move to Sydney to make the next step to the national job. The opportunity having come as early as it has is great so I’m happy for Frank. We at Marconi always made it clear that we would not stand in his way.”
Diegos: “Seeing Roy Hodgson knocked back the chance to coach the Socceroos do you think the public will be more receptive to having an Australian as coach of the Socceroos?”
Labbozzetta: “To be honest it will be a new experience for me. I was one of those who were canvassing for an overseas coach.
The performance by our own Australian coaches during the interview process we went through for the position sparked a different way of thinking for me. I recognized that we have potential coaching talent here in this country that is comparable to anywhere in the world.
Whilst an overseas coach would bring many positives, our boys are be more acquainted with our local scene and that has to be a plus for us.’
Diegos: “The marketing and promotional opportunities that can come from an Australian born coach taking a Socceroo squad made up largely of Australian born players, to the next World Cup are huge aren’t they?”
Labbozzetta: “It’s immeasurable indeed.
This appointment does us proud in this country and it’s about time that we gave our boys the encouragement to do the job.”
Diegos: “Was there any quality in Frank Farina that stood out as confirming that he was the right man for the job?”
Labbozzetta: “He has strong communication skills and solid connections with the players overseas.
He has played at the top level and this will go a long way in getting the respect required in the change room.”
Soft Sombrero Moment Press Conference Sydney August 1999
Australia’s 1974 World Cup coach, Rale Rasic on Farina’s appointment…
Diegos: “As coach of the 1974 World Cup team, you must be very proud today witnessing for the first time an Australian born coach taking over the mantle?”
Rasic: “I’m absolutely delighted for soccer in this country and for Frank himself. It’s great, absolutely fantastic to see it.”
Diegos: “Rale you’ve been there before and you know what the job takes.
What advice would you give Frank?”
Rasic: “He has already said things that are very important; that he is young enthusiastic and that it will be a steep learning curve for him and everybody else.
National team coaching and club coaching are hugely different. Any national coach that takes on the job for the first time irrespective of how old he is, must learn something very new.
From my personal point of view you only get one term and if you fail you get fired. That’s always been my philosophy and that’s why the job is so tough.”
Diegos: “In 1974 your squad was well and truly home based.
Frank is in a different situation with most of his players now playing overseas.
How would you tackle the problems of getting the team together for valuable preparation?”
Rasic: “I think Frank has the personality to be able to communicate and solve many of the problems that this situation brings up.
In the past we’ve seen many hiccups in this respect but I think generally Aussies abroad are very proud of their country and I think Frank can tap into that. There will be as always problems getting releases from clubs but I think a smart and clever coach can overcome these problems.”
Diegos: “Each candidate was apparently very impressive at the interview for the Socceroo job.
Do you believe that this country is now not only producing a host of world class players but also world class coaches?”
Rasic: “No doubt about it. The three who missed out David Mitchell, Eddie Krncevic and the young and impressive Angie Postecoglou would clearly be upset at the outcome but I think they are all experienced enough to know that that’s football life.
I personally see a very bright future with these young people.”
Soft Sombrero Moment Press Conference Sydney August 1999
Farina on Eddie Thomson's departure for Japan in 1996…
Diegos: “Let’s start with a controversial one.
It's been an up and down time in Aussie soccer with Eddie Thomson leaving the Socceroo coaching job and the Diegos are wondering do you believe that the 'clouds have parted and that we can suddenly see sunshine' like Frank Arok said recently with Eddie's departure or were you happy to keep sharing 'sushi' with our friend Eddie Thomson as Socceroo coach?
Farina: "Well I don't tend to agree with a lot of Frank's comments put it that way guys.
I think Frank is very happy that Eddie has moved on. I tend to think that it's probably a bad time for Australian soccer because now we're in turmoil and there doesn't appear to be too many candidates putting up their hand to take on the job."
Diegos: "Would Frank Farina be one of those with his hand put up at the moment?"
Farina: "Mate I've got two hands up but no one is taking any notice."
Diegos: "You've gone from 'boiled lollies to chocolates' personally.
It's been rumoured that you didn't want the Brisbane coaching job in the first place. You just wanted to come home to play and for everyone to leave you alone.
Now not only are you doing the Strikers job but the pundits are also suggesting that you should be the new Socceroo coach?
Farina: "Well what a load of crap that is…like you guys say I've gone from 'lollies to caviar' in the space of four weeks.
For me it's well and truly too early to contemplate the national coaching position. I'm happy with the way I'm going at the moment with the Brisbane Strikers. It's just going to be interesting from an outsider’s point of view to see what is going to happen with the Socceroo job."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on the Socceroo job, Wadey and Krncevic…
Diegos: "The first lot of Aussies to go overseas to play in Europe - the Alan Davidson's, the Eddie Krncevic's and yourself - are all getting a little older and they are looking to return home to start coaching.
Do you think it's very long before one of these former Socceroos will end up coaching Australia?"
Farina: "I really believe that that is the way the game is heading.
I reckon in about four to five years this will not be a dream anymore it will be a reality. There will be an Australian player who has played for Australia at the international level, played in both the National league and overseas who will be our national coach.
I'm not bullshitting to you when I say that I would like that to me. That is my ultimate ambition. I've stated that before I got the Brisbane Strikers job and that's my goal."
Diegos: “A lot people including the Diegos think that you retired too early from the national team. We reckon that you have a few years left in you at that level.
Do you think that you hung up the Green and Gold jock strap a little prematurely?
Farina: "People have said that to me. I would prefer to retire on a high rather than to carry on when I'm not contributing to the level that I should.
I think there are a few people in our national team currently who are well and truly past it. From my point of view I'm very happy with my decision."
Diegos: "Now Frankie when you talk to the Diegos you name 'names'…
Farina: “All right then Paul Wade; there you go are you happy...?
Diegos: "Wadey is one of our 'Hall of Fame' guests you know…
Farina: "And he is one of my very good friends but Paul Wade is past it.
There are a lot of players who can fill in for Paul. I feel sorry for Paul that he's continued on. Unfortunately every one else can see it except for Paul and possibly Eddie Thomson."
Diegos: "If Wadey is past it but still getting a game whose fault is it? Surely it can be Paul's?
Farina: “It’s Eddie Thomson's fault. There you go again; there's another name.
It's Eddie's fault because he has continuously selected Paul.
Wadey has always said that he will not retire from the national team. He will finally give it away when he is no longer selected. So therefore it's Eddie's fault.
Everybody else in the country can see that the likes of Craig Foster and Troy Cranney from Brisbane should be given a go. I think that there are a lot of central midfielders that can do a better job than what Paul is doing at the moment.
No disrespect to Wadey. He has done a fantastic job and is a great ambassador for soccer in this country but in all honesty his time is gone as is mine I believe."
Diegos: "We saw that on Eddie Krncevic's arrival back to Melbourne many NSL clubs shied away from picking him up as a coach.
Do you think that Aussie clubs should be more willing to give Aussies returning home a chance to coach in the NSL?"
Farina: “I think so definitely. On Eddie Krncevic in particular, he was for me, the pioneer for Australian soccer in Europe.
People make reference to myself but Eddie had established himself well before my time.
If Eddie was in Brisbane at the time the Strikers job was available I believe he would've been appointed.
So yes I believe these sort of guys should be targeted because of their extensive experience and knowledge learned overseas over a long period of time."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on taking one too many swings and misses against Canada in the 1993 World cup qualifying series….
The Diegos: “In preparation for this interview Frank, l went through my personal home video collection. In amongst my ‘Rocky’ movies, l found the video of the 1993 World Cup qualifying match between the Socceroos and Canada played in Sydney.
Now in the first of that game, l saw you have a header miss from close range, have two fresh air shots, have a miskick saved by the keeper from six yards, have two certain goals saved, have a strike over the bar from eight yards, one cleared off your boot as you were about to toe poke it into the goal and in the second half you ended up missing from close range.
Thankfully you did finally score with a spectacular overhead kick while you were concussed.
Have you ever been more frustrated in a game of soccer?”
Farina: “Well that could’ve been the reason why l got that yellow card. I was about to tell you blokes how much l love you but after saying all that I’ve changed my mind. But seriously, l think it was one of those days were l had my left boot on my right foot. It was a frustrating day.
That game for me was certainly one that l would like to forget but also like to remember, if you know what l mean.
In terms of chances, l actually could’ve scored a double hat trick on the day, but l only ended up with one goal. Look you ‘Doritos’, the most important thing is that the Socceroos won the match.”
Soft Sombrero moment 1996
Farina on Argentina 1993…
Diegos: "You were involved in the previous World Cup campaign in the games against Argentina in 1993
You were quite critical of playing the home leg in Australia first.
What were your reasons behind your comments?
Farina: "Yes it's true that I was critical.
If we had no choice then there is no argument.
I still don't know to this day whether that was the case or not. We probably won't ever know the truth. I thought it strange that there were rumours going around that we requested that the first game be in Sydney.
My hunch was with Maradona making his comeback and every television and print media outlet in the world wanting to cover it perhaps the Australian authorities were thinking more about the dollars rather than the reality of making the World Cup finals for the first time since 1974.
So on that basis I was 'pissed off'.
Argentina had lost 5-0 to Colombia at home at the River Plate Stadium and we would've played them on their home turf straight after that game.
Whether or not they would've been keyed up to absolutely thrash us so we had no chance in the second game, I don't believe that. But we are going on 'ifs and buts' and it's a situation that we can never change."
Diegos: "Do you think that in the end we were good enough to beat the 'Argies', Maradona and all?"
Farina: "I am going to go out on another completely different tangent…
Diegos: "If you're going to do that just watch your language OK…
Farina: "Yes I will. I'm sorry Diegos…I believe if we played the first game in Argentina and played the second leg in Australia I think we would've got a result over there and we would've performed well enough back home to qualify for the World Cup in 1994.
How's that for a bloody hypothetical situation?"
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on Socceroo preparation…
Diegos: "With the talent drain of Aussie footballers out of Australia, if you were given the role as national coach how would you endeavour to prepare your team?"
Farina: "That is a real curly one. You blokes have planned your questions haven't you?
In a nutshell I've haven't a bloody clue.
Honestly I don't know. It's not a situation that I've even thought about and I couldn't give you an answer.
I think the situation that we are in at the moment is ridiculous in that we've got two teams - a home team and an away team.
We've got our overseas-based players and our home based players and there's not a definite plan to it all. Whoever is the next national coach, thankfully it's not going to be me, has got a huge problem on his hands."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on 'Club versus Country' issues…
Diegos: "Tell us about the 'Club versus Country' pressure you and other players playing overseas feel whenever you're selected to play for the Socceroos?"
Farina: "The pressure is so real you wouldn't believe it. It's even more real to me now than at the time I was actually playing overseas.
When I was overseas the decision I had to make was 'Do I come back and play for Australia and basically put my spot and my wages in jeopardy?'
I really feel for the Aussie playing overseas. They are struggling because they want to play for Australia but their bread and butter is in Europe. They're in situations where they're really finding it hard."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on his 'All Day Every Day' Hyundai…
Diegos: "This might seem an odd question but we know that the Brisbane Strikers are sponsored by Hyundai.
We know that you personally get an unlimited supply of Hyundai cars from the company.
Can you give us an assessment of the Hyundai Sonata?
Farina: "You guys obviously didn't hear about what happened.
I had an 'All Day Every Day' Sonata and there was this young lady who was in a Volvo and you know what they say about Volvo drivers, well she cleaned me up from behind and almost wrote the car off.
The company ended up giving me a new sporty ‘All Day Every Day' Coupe' and basically said that I had deliberately had an accident so I could swap over."
Diegos: "The new sports car goes alright Frank…?
Farina: "Excellent Diegos…
Diegos: "Does it have your name 'Frank Farina Former Socceroo and Brisbane Strikers Coach / Player' painted on the side of it?"
Farina: "No unfortunately not. You never know it might be a target for other Volvo drivers."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina on his sojourn in Italian footy…
Diegos: "What about your playing stint in Bari?"
Farina: "Oh know I can feel a migraine coming on.
It went really bad. It was a dream come true to go and play in Italy. Unfortunately there was a lot of expectation. I made a couple of wrong decisions.
At the time I made the decision I was actually injured in Bruges. I should've gone the year before to Bologna or Genoa but Bruges didn't release me so I stayed one more year to see out my contract and accepted very low money to do that.
Bruges offered me a lot of money to re-sign but if I did under those terms they could've increased the transfer fee to any Italian club interested.
I ended up going to Bari with a knee injury after playing against AC Milan in the European cup and things turned sour really quickly.
Unfortunately Bari had a team that was great on paper but in all reality we didn't produce the goods.
It was a chapter in my football career that I'd like to forget and I thank you Diegos for reminding me."
Diegos: "Under different circumstances do you think you could've been suited to Italian soccer?"
Farina: "Yes I think I could've been.
For a striker it basically depends on what team you go to. A striker is very different to a defender or midfielder in the sense that there is a lot of pressure to score goals and performance means very little.
I'm confident enough in my own ability that I could've succeeded but the timing wasn't right and the team was a bad choice but I suppose that's football."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
Farina Heart Balmed by the Four Diegos…
Diegos: "Now Frank its time for the 'Four Diegos Heart Balm' we ask you to give us your brief inner most private thoughts on the following topics…
First question…which one person in the world would you like to be?"
Farina: "David Hill because then I'd appoint Frank Farina as the national coach."
Diegos: "If you had a dinner party who would be one person you wouldn't invite?"
Farina: "Bruce Stowell coach of the Strikers before me."
Diegos: "What advice do you give to the kiddies out there listening to the Diegos?"
Farina: "Not to swear and if the Diegos ever contact you just ignore it.
Seriously all I ever say to young players is too remain humble and it doesn't matter how far you go in your career you never stop learning."
Soft Sombrero Moment 1996
|
