Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Tony Labbozzetta

Four Diegos’ profile:              

Former Chairman of Soccer Australia

Four Diegos’ verdict:             

Enduring more verdicts than Ruben ‘Hurricane’ Carter, thick skin was something that this grand old survivor of Aussie soccer certainly had.

Largely unloved by the rank and file fan but idolised on the Marconi Social Club Dinner Dance floor, ‘Labbo’ was the face of the ‘favours for votes’ culture that flourished in old NSL administration since the league’s inception in 1977.

A veteran of the Stewart Inquiry into Australian soccer and the NSW Liquor Licensing investigation in the 90’s, the Marconi Travel probe, the IEC ‘jobs for the boys’ allegations and the Ancient China House of Tea come ‘rumpy pumpy’ massage parlour scandal in 2001, this bloke was either incredibly misunderstood or one bad dude.

You be the judge.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Tony Labbozzetta

Diegos: “It’s been confirmed that 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 you must be 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 was canvassing for an overseas coach.

The performance by our own Australian coaches during the interview process 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 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 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 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