Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Angie Postecoglou

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Angie Postecoglou

Angie on the new breed of Aussie 'Mozzies'…

Diegos: "Congratulations on leading the Australian Under 16 soccer team to a great result in the Oceania Cup in January.

In the absence of an official nickname, the Diegos are calling the team 'The Mozzies'. It is a team choc full of the next generation of Aussie talent.

At risk of alerting any dodgy player agents out there do you think you've uncovered any Harry Kewell's or Mark Viduka's?

Postecoglou: "I think it's still looking very healthy.

This is the second crop that I've been involved with and the base is there for another good squad. Individually they are right up there with the last squad.

I suppose saying that I've got any Harry Kewell's or Mark Viduka's is a big stretch but I'm certain that quite a few of these guys will graduate right through."

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie on leaving our little 'Mozzies' alone…

Diegos: "The Diegos are a bit prickly about our kids being whisked away at a very young age to big overseas clubs.

Did you find at the Oceania tournament that you had to chase away agents with a broom? What type of pressures are on Aussie kids now if they are coming through the ranks and showing a bit of talent?"

Postecoglou: "It's getting a bit ridiculous to be honest.

The boys that I had in the squad were 15 years old and most of them have some sort of representation already. Unfortunately it's one of the necessary evils of our game.

Until parents start taking control of their kid's lives and don't just flog them around and realize that they are doing more harm than good, things unfortunately won't change.

Obviously with the FIFA Under 18 rule coming in that helps us a little bit but certainly if I had a 14 or 15 year old who was as talented as some of these boys are, I wouldn't be shipping him off to the first agent that came along."

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie on 'Emo'…

Diegos: "Do you think that the Brett Emerton example of staying in the Aussie system and establishing himself in the NSL before going overseas, is having much of an impact?"

Postecoglou: "Unfortunately the crazy thing is that people think that this is exception rather than the rule.

People keep on throwing up the Harry Kewell example but he is really the exception.

If you look at the last Socceroo team we had, Viduka played in the NSL for a number of seasons before going over, Okon, Schwarzer and Muscat the same.

All these players have all had a grounding at home first before going. People just keep on using the Kewell example as the basis for their decision making and I guess we just have to keep telling them that the best career path is to stay here for as long as possible in the NSL.

Hopefully people will realize this is the best way as 'Emo' proved."

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie on Pacific Island kids…

Diegos: "The Mozzies' opposition in this tournament consisted of a lot of the Oceania Island countries.

Is the gap between Australia and these countries getting smaller?"

Postecoglou: "I don't know about the Australian team. Obviously we're always going to be a little bit stronger and if anything I think we are getting stronger.

Certainly between New Zealand, Vanuatu, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia and Tahiti, the gap is definitely narrowing. These countries are spending a lot of money on their youth development. They get a lot of money via FIFA grants so they are able to take their kids overseas as well as recruit coaches from overseas.

Vanuatu play some good football and deservedly beat New Zealand to get to the final and Solomon Islands absolutely thumped New Zealand in the third and fourth play off so definitely the gap is narrowing in terms of the quality between New Zealand and the others and I guess from out point of view, it's a sign that we need to keep improving. I still think that we are a fair way ahead of them.

I think if we get a stronger Oceania it's better for us because the harder our qualification process the better it is when we get to the big tournaments."

Diegos: "Michael Cockerill of the Sydney Morning Herald wrote a terrific article about the changing standards of the game in Oceania earlier this year.

In the article he mentioned that players of the callibre of Christian Karembu have originated from this region of Pacific Islands and that the lifestyles of young players in this area promotes an almost Brazilian development model where they are playing soccer all day long because of the absence of other distraction that Aussie kids might have.

Do you think the skills and technique of young Pacific island players rates favourably with that of Aussie kids?"  

Postecoglou: "Definitely. If I were an NSL coach as an experiment, I would be looking very closely at this region for recruiting.

We've got the AFL doing it with Ireland but we've got ready-made footballers at our doorstep. All we need to do is pick them up at the age of 14 or 15.

These kids tend to have the skill and technique that even our boys are lacking a little because of the way we are brought up.

Technically some of them are unbelievable. The balance and co-ordination they show even as teenagers is quite amazing. So in that respect it's a bit surprising that some NSL clubs have not invested some money in this area.

I think this would add to our national league too. It would mean a different style of footballer coming in and some of those South American traits would be great as a spectacle." 

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie, please tell the Diegos what went wrong amigo?

Diegos: "Many people have cleansed themselves of the whole Socceroo World Cup experience. Unfortunately we at the Diegos haven't quite managed that yet; we are still looking for answers.

You were there; tell us exactly what did go wrong? Why didn't we qualify for the World Cup?"

Postecoglou: "It's a difficult one and obviously it's going to take a lot of cleansing for us to get over this one.

From my point of view, the good thing is that I got to work on the next bunch of young kids so that got me thinking positively virtually right away.

There are a million reasons why we didn't qualify but above all at the end of the day, unlike four years ago against Iran, I just think we met a very good team and that we weren't good enough.

Uruguay were no mugs.

They were a good side and we played badly on the day. Any time you get that combination you're looking down the barrel.

Of the 13 we had on the park, very few could actually say that they played close to the best of their ability. It's something we need to look at and try and adjust but as I keep telling people, if England had to play Uruguay on a home and away basis to qualify for the World Cup, I certainly wouldn't be putting my house on a definite England win.

Our disappointment should be tempered with a little bit of reality.

We must understand that we weren't good enough on this occasion but let's keep on improving and not panic too much."  

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie on Harry….

Diegos: "The Diegos noticed that throughout the campaign you watched from afar, putting out the cones and filling up the water bottles, while Frank and Arnie hogged the media limelight.

Out of all the players who impressed you the most?" 

Postecoglou: "They were all very impressive and that's the great thing about working so closely with such quality.

It is astonishing, the quality of footballers this country is producing.  Having said that there is no going past Harry.

When you look at what he has to put up with, the demands on him are quite extraordinary.

Every time we were on the park, whether at training or in matches, he showed what an exceptional talent he really is.

If he can keep focused the way he is at the moment, there's no limits to where he could go.

It was enjoyable to be part of the environment. It wasn't really my campaign so I just sat in the background, trying to take it all in. It was a great experience for me and something I'll file away so I can learn from it." 

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie on putting out the cones…

Diegos: "The Diegos dream of putting out the cones for Frankie at World Cup time but ultimately we would want to be the top 'Mad Dog' Socceroo coach one day.

Is this something you aspire to?"

Postecoglou: "I don't know if it’s a dream. It was never a dream to get the job I currently have. My dreams always involved South Melbourne.

I'm really enjoying the job at the moment working with these kids and hopefully we can accomplish something over the next 3 to 4 year period. After that we'll see what opportunities open up and if it's the senior team that's fine and good, if not I'll check other avenues. The coaching game is not one you start planning where you are going to be in a year's time because you just don't know.'

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

Angie the Diegos will put cones out for you…

Diegos: "Well Angie, you know if you ever need any ball boys, water boys or cone men the Diegos are always ready and waiting…

Postecoglou: "Yeh I've known that for a while and I haven't called for that reason."

Soft Sombrero Moment March 2002

LG Angie on life as an Australian national coach…

Diegos: " Last time we spoke, we talked about enjoying the initial honeymoon period that comes with starting any football job.

Six months down the track you've managed to extend that honeymoon period with wins in the Under 17 qualifiers, impressive performances against Glasgow Rangers with the Young Socceroos recently and your magnificent performances as assistant coach to Frank Farina in the Socceroos set up.

As the national team sponsor LG keeps reminding us, is 'Life Good' for Angie Postecoglou at present?"

Postecoglou: "Well it certainly does sound good the way you've described it.

I often tell Frank Farina that when the Socceroos are doing well I’m the assistant coach and when they’re doing poorly I’m the youth team coach.

I’ve been very happy with the way things have gone so far, but as yet we haven’t qualified for anything and that is job I’m here to do. The whole experience has been a very steep learning curve for me, but overall I can’t complain with the way things have gone to date."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2001

Angie on his boys…

Diegos: "The squad you're assembling for the Oceania qualifiers in the Cook Islands later this month looks a beauty.

A third of the squad is made up of young Aussies playing overseas with the remainder made up of some of our terrific young NSL talent. The team looks to have great depth, class and international experience.

What's the feeling in the squad and who is the stand out players?

Postecoglou: " You’re right, it is a very impressive group of players, but the key with any squad is getting them together.

I was really happy with the way the squad played against Rangers, it was the first time we had them together and to their credit the boys adapted really well and showed great enthusiasm in playing for their country.

The squad is taking shape very well and there are probably another six players that could possibly come in.

The great thing is that we will be in camp together which means they will be with each other 24 hours a day. That should help the squad gel even better. But as I said earlier if the Rangers game is any indication then I think this team will bond together well."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2001

Angie on Ergic…

Diegos: " One outstanding prospect not in the party presently is former Perth Glory young star, Ivan Ergic.

After having signed a deal with Italian glamour club, Juventus and being loaned out to Swiss team, FC Basel, he seems to be baulking at the prospect of committing himself to the Green and Gold.

He says he wants to play for Australia but his actions tell another story.

Does his reluctance concern you?"

Postecoglou: " No it doesn’t!

He has made it clear that he wants to concentrate on his club football and I’m certainly not going to deny him that, in fact, I wish him luck.

The good thing for me is that I’m prepared to go without anyone.

I’m very happy with the squad who has turned up because it's clear that they're all committed. 

Any absences give others an opportunity in the squad. Who knows, the guys who didn't turn up might come to me and say they are ready to play for their country at some later stage.

In the meantime others are getting a go and establishing themselves within the squad. I’m certainly not closing the door on anyone and I won’t be losing any sleep over players who don’t want to be part of the squad."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2001

Angie on the Socceroos demolition of Scotland…

 Diegos: "You were part of the coaching party that lead Australia to one of it's best ever wins in Scotland last November.

The Diegos reckon it had a lot to do with you. We're convinced that Frank and the boys would never have got over the line without your fine work.

The 2-0 score line didn't surprise us as much as the faultless performance that night.

Did it surprise you that we won so comprehensively and as a team do you think we've taken the next step?"

Postecoglou: "Qualification for the World cup is going to be difficult no matter what.

When you look back at that game, and compare the two squads, the Australian team was a far better team on paper and people still talk about us as underdogs or being inferior. 

We had players that came from clubs in Germany, Holland and some of the biggest clubs in Europe.

The Scottish side was made up of players from their Premier League, which apart from Rangers and Celtic, isn’t the best competition going around. So the result was no surprise to me."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2001

Angie on missing club coaching…

Diegos: "The big South Melbourne versus Perth Glory blockbuster in Melbourne was a mouthwatering prospect for the fans and no doubt a great challenge for the players and coaches.

Last season it would've been you leading the Bob Jane boys to a 4-0 win.

Are you missing day to day club coaching?"

Postecoglou: "Perth are a great team and South's past record against them has not been that good but that's largely due to me.

I do miss the day-to-day involvement of club football. It's a big game and I wish I was there even if it was only sitting in the stands."

Diegos: "Thanks Angie. Good luck in the World cup qualifiers. A Diegos tip - it doesn't matter how hot and steamy it gets in the Cook Islands always remember that 'Life Really is Good' when you're wearing a g-string. Adios amigo."

Postecoglou: "Thanks Diegos. I'll write that on the whiteboard to kick off my pre-match address. Adios amigos."

Soft Sombrero Moment February 2001

Angie on wild dreams…

Diegos: " I want to take you back, way back to your days as a fledgling full back for South Melbourne-Hakoah reserves, playing in front of 12 people and a dog at the windswept Middle park ground and I want you to tell me that you knew that your destiny was to, one day, lead your beloved South Melbourne onto the Maracana in Brazil against Manchester United in a world rated contest.

The Diegos want to know how wild your dreams really were in those days?"

Postecoglou: " My wildest dreams had nothing to do with soccer back then. But I was thinking about the whole thing recently and I don’t think you could have come up with a script like this for a movie.”

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on his World Club Championship ‘Guerilla’ strategy…

Diegos: "Manchester United, Brazilian team and former World Club champions, Vasco De Gama, and Mexican champions, Necaxa are in your group, a group labeled by the Diegos as the 'Group of death by 1,000 cuts'.

You are Australia's NSL version of Stormin' Norman Schwarzkoff. What's the strategy? Will it be guerilla warfare or a good old fashion Aussie pub slug fest?"

Postecoglou: " We’re actually planning a covert operation.

People have been saying that it would be great if a couple of the Manchester United boys could be kidnapped in Rio, but the only problem is that they would have to take twenty three of them.

We will go over there with the label of easy beats and people will right us off. But funny things do happen."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on the Aussie soccer media…

Diegos: "Do you find it ironic that after the game against Northern Spirit you felt the need lambaste the Melbourne media for paying scant regard to your team, yet in Rio you were hounded to saturation point by the soccer paparazzi?"

Postecoglou: " It’s not in my nature to make too many comments after a game, but I felt that I had to do it with that game.

Yes I was annoyed because in Rio people were curious about us and wanted to know about the club even if it was only for novelty value at times. I guess I was expecting a little more emphasis on our club from the press in Melbourne, and we didn’t get that before our first game of the season.

It was annoying.

What people need to understand is that we will be representing the whole country and the region.

So people shouldn’t be worrying that other clubs are going to get their nose out of joint because our club is getting a little more exposure.

If we get good results in Brazil it won’t necessarily be a reflection on South Melbourne, it will be a reflection on the standard in our country and region.”

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie and George Michael separated at birth…

Diegos: "Were any of the paparazzi looking for George Michael and stumbled across you instead?"

Postecoglou: " Just as well they didn’t ask me to sing.

Generally the press over there knew who we were and what we were about.

They had obviously done their homework and hammered our website. One thing I can comment on was the fact that they didn’t treat us any differently to the other big name clubs in the tournament and that was pleasing.”

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie slamming Carlton…

Diegos: "After the game against Northern Spirit you uncharacteristically slammed the Carlton SC Beer Garden with Fred Nile type gusto and then went on to describe the Carlton V Gippsland Falcons game as the equivalent of Wimbledon V Bradford, whilst your game was more like a Manchester United V Chelsea affair.

You're not one to usually be so outspoken.

Are you concerned at all that you may have given the Blues a little bit of ammunition for future clashes?"  

Postecoglou: " Not in the least concerned. My comments are not based on canning any particular club, but rather what the press are emphasizing about the game.

We shouldn’t be reading about beer gardens or revolving restaurants, we should be reading about what is happening on the field, the players that play for us, the heroes and villains that make the game what it is.

This is what will attract the crowds and once you have got them through the gates then highlight the facilities that will keep them there.”

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Gee soccer is a funny game Angie…

Diegos: "Someone once said that 'Soccer is a funny game', so funny, it seems, that within 24 hours of being drawn to play the mighty Manchester United at the Maracana, your team, South Melbourne lost 1-0 to the Auckland Football Kingz in New Zealand.

For the cynics, especially in the British tabloid press, who have not been too complimentary about South Melbourne participation in the World Club Championship, how do you convince people, especially your own players, that you belong in Brazil?" 

Postecoglou: " I don’t believe that I have to convince anybody about us being in this competition. Anybody with half a soccer brain would know that this is a great opportunity to promote club soccer all over the world.

We don’t expect to go over there and win the competition, but we do expect to show the rest of the world what Australian soccer is all about.”

Diegos: " Thanks Angie. Perhaps we'll catch you at the South Melbourne 'tzatziki dip and retsina' garden next home game at the Bob Jane. Adios Amigo."

Postecoglou: " Thank Diegos. I can't wait - I'II shout the first round. Adios Diegos."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie with South in finals mode…

Diegos: " We are approaching that time of the season where coaches and players start inhaling the scent of finals football in the air and the fans are desperately wanting to lick the sweat and spit from the bodies of their soccer heroes.

The finals are around the corner.

Are South Melbourne in finals mode and what's your plan in the remaining weeks leading up to the big ones?"

Postecoglou: " We're not silly enough to say that we don't think about them.

I've been thinking about finals for a while now in terms of our preparation. It was pretty clear that we were going to be in the finals a while ago.

At the same time we have still got the week-to-week propositions. The midweek game against Glory a fortnight ago was pretty important for us.

If we didn't win that it would've put us behind the eight ball in terms of finishing in the top two spots. So to answer your question, we are preparing for the finals but at the same time trying to finish in top spot which, we believe, is indicative of the season that we have had." 

Soft Sombrero Moment April 1999

Diegos: " Last season you negotiated a big hurdle, winning the premiership as a coach for the first time.

What's your approach this time around? Are you cocky and a little arrogant or a little wary and uncertain?"

Postecoglou: " Neither I guess. I think last year was a fantastic accomplishment for the club. I think its wrong to say that I won the championship for South.

The team and the club were primarily responsible for that. We are working along the same lines this year as last year. We obviously had a successful formula last season and with the exception of a couple refinements here and there caused by personnel changes, we are trying to adopt the same strategy as we head towards the final's series this season.

We are trying to keep the players as focused as we can, making sure that they realize just how difficult it’s going to be. I've played in plenty of teams that looked great in the regular season but failed miserably in the finals. We were successful last year so we will go with the same formula this season."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on the President’s Kiss of Death…

Diegos: "After South Melbourne's impressive win against Carlton a few weeks ago, the Diegos witnessed the President of South, George Vasilopoulos, fight his way through a crowd of journalists at the press conference, pucker up and give you a big kiss on both cheeks.

Is this something that George does a lot and do you ever worry, after a bad performance, that it may, in fact, be the 'Kiss of Death' that he is laying on you? "

Postecoglou: " Thankfully he doesn't do it a lot. It happens when he gets excited with the big games.

It's pretty well known that George is pretty passionate about the club. He has been around a long time as president but still gets pretty excited when we win.

We haven't had any really bad catastrophes since I've been coach so I'm just trying to dodge those 'Kiss of Death' bullets. I guess I've been pretty lucky."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on final’s routine…

Diegos:" Top-line coaches around the world have been known to, after years in the job, degenerate into obsessive creatures of habit.

What is your finals routine and is there anything in your routine that drives people close to you mad?"

Postecoglou: " No not really - I'm pretty obsessive all year round.

If anything, I probably get a little bit calmer around finals time. When I sense a fair bit of excitement around the club, I tend to calm down a little bit and try to stay focused.

Generally though, I'm pretty one dimensional during the soccer season so I don't think my wife would see much difference."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on goal celebrations…

Diegos: " In your midweek game a fortnight ago, South Melbourne's Vaughan Coveny got a bit excitable once he scored the team's winner against Perth Glory and proceeded to rip off his shirt.

When players overseas do the same they tend to have some message scrawled on their under-garment like 'Stop NATO bombing', 'Thanks Mum' or ' What's your Phone Number Monica?'

Is it true that staunch KIWI Coveny had 'New Zealand Cheese is best' on his singlet and do you ever feel like ripping your shirt off when your team scores?"

Postecoglou: " Believe me, I don't think it would be wise for me to rip off my shirt.

It would not be a pleasing look to all and sundry. As far as Vaughan is concerned I don't know whether he had anything written on his shirt but I do know that the marketing department was unhappy with the tacky singlet he was wearing."

Diegos:" What would be written on your under-garment if you did?"

Postecoglou: " I suppose a message to my wife would be an option but like I said, me ripping off my shirt would not be a good look."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on the Socceroo job…

Diegos:" There is much speculation over who is going to be the next Socceroo coach.

Do you get disappointed that you are not often mentioned as a candidate with the likes of Eddie Krncevic, David Mitchell and Frank Farina and how did it make you feel when Northern Spirit coach, Graham Arnold recently urged Soccer Australia to seriously look at you as a possible contender?"

Postecoglou: " I don't get disappointed. I've got to be honest, in terms of profile and experience, compared to the other guys; I'm probably in a separate category.

I understand why people would be putting the other names forward before mine. I don't think too much about the Socceroo job because the important thing for me to do is to concentrate on South Melbourne. If we win another championship this year and continue to be successful, obviously my name will keep on getting thrown up.

That sort of thing will take care of itself. It's nice when someone like Graham Arnold and a couple of the other coaches mention my name. My attitude though, has changed a lot on the issue of who should be appointed as Socceroo coach.

Earlier on I was pretty easy about whom they appointed as long it was a good choice and it was the best coach available. Now I just think it has to be a local coach. The main reason being that someone like Terry Venables didn't take us to the World cup but landed on his feet and got another job and Roy Hodgson who it seems, has a choice of a number of potential jobs available to him, may view the Socceroo position as just another job for 4 years and if he fails, at the end of the day, he will is able to find another position quite easily, while Aussie soccer still hasn't achieved it's goal.

A local coach will put his blood, sweat and tears into it. Anyone who attended the MCG in 1997 would've been affected by the result and got a sense of what qualifying for the next World cup means to this country.

Rather than looking upon it as just another job, one of the local guys, I think, would do everything they possibly could to get the country there."

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999

Angie on overseas trials…

Diegos: " It seems that many of your squad have, at one stage or another this season, gone to on a trial to an overseas club.

Has the unsettling effect this has on the team, been your biggest problem this year? "

Postecoglou: " It's not ideal when you've got players going overseas on trial. I'm pretty much against that happening during the season.

I encourage my players to do it during the off-season. Sometimes I think that it would be more unsettling if we didn't give them that opportunity when it arose. We don't want to stand in anyone's way and we don't want players hanging around the club if they think that we are denying them an opportunity.

It then becomes unhealthy. It's not an ideal situation but unfortunately in this country we've got to put up with that." 

Diegos: " Thanks Angie. Perhaps you might be more willing display your svelte physique to the crowd if you wore fashionable Four Diegos underwear under your coaching gear. It's in the mail as we speak. Adios Amigo!"

Postecoglou: " Thanks but no thanks Diegos. I think the salsa and hot Mexican chili sauce stains, not to mention the scratch n' smell waft of Diego's body odor, would too much for me to bear. Thanks anyway. Adios amigos!"

Soft Sombrero Moment October 1999