Holger – it’s all about playing with the right MENTALITY
Just watched the press conference announcing the new head coach for the Socceroos and congratulations to the FFA for keeping the appointment in-house and not leaking like a political party busting to go to the loo.
Interesting decision. The man – Holger Osiek - is a well credentialled football person who has been around the world plying his craft and there is no question that he has a massive job. His job is to ensure that Australia not only gets to Brazil 2014 but has the right (dare I say it) “MENTALITY” rather just “style of play” that will ensure there are no repeats of the result against Germany.
I like him already – the guy nearly said “Shit” in his first press conference with the President of Australia, Frank Lowy sitting next to him. He seems to have an idea of the Aussie MENTALITY already.
His predecessor – Pim Verbeek was widely criticized for playing with a negative “MENTALITY” even though he achieved the goal of getting us to the World Cup. His negative style of play was found out in the first game of the World Cup against Germany and even had some pundits calling for his head mid tournament.
Holger would do well to ensure he does the following:
- Find out what the Australian MENTALITY is, and I’m not just talking about the Socceroos.
- Get to know his players and start working on the structure so that come qualification for Brazil 2014 we have a team that can play with “Gay Abandon” if necessary.
- Find out early if our young players are good enough at International level, don’t leave it too late!
- Make sure he works with and mentors our young coaches especially his assistants and leaves a lasting Leagacy – hopefully an Aussie coach for 2022.
- Don’t bag the A-League and its players.
And finally………
- Never sing the Australian National Anthem on TV.
He’ll have a helluva lot more than that to do but it will be fascinating to see how he goes.
I feel better now that we have a coach even though he is not the coach most people were expecting.
Rodrigo Rodriguez
