Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Terry Venables

Venables on toughening up the Socceroos…

Diegos: "Your recent match in Tunisia with the Socceroos was reportedly an rough and tough trip for the team.

There was a scarcity of the Aussie comforts like vegemite and the Rolf Harris CD's.

Was it a deliberate ploy by you to make the trip as tough as possible knowing that we'll be probably going to a place like Iran for the World Cup qualifiers?"

Venables: "Absolutely, I like to make the players to have as much discomfort as they possibly can.

I've got to toughen them up you know. It makes me feel better."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on Aussie players…

Diegos: "Talking about Australian players and Australia soccer have you been genuinely surprised by the quality of talent in the Australian game?"

Venables: "The boys who have been working with me have been fantastic.

I've been 100% absolutely and genuinely delighted with everything they've been doing both as people who want to be involved and play to their capacity.

They are prepared to travel great distances in not so comfortable circumstances. There have been lots of difficulties but the boys have overcome all of that.

On the training field and in the games I've been pleased, in fact delighted with what they have produced.

They are a joy to work with but obviously having said that, we've had 12 games and they've gone well but the main thing is the next two games.

Without getting the result in the next two games all this work will come to nothing and that would be a major disappointment."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on the Aussie World Cup task…

Diegos: "There's basically only a seven day changeover from when you know who your World Cup opponent is and when you play your first game.

Will that work in your favour or is it a major problem?"

Venables: "It's like everything else, the more time you can get with the team the better off you are.

Where we are fortunate was when we had five or six weeks back in June where we built a bedrock of work, which was very helpful.

Now we are really doing reminding sessions, which have included three days in Tunisia.

I was particularly pleased with that game because I rate Tunisia very highly and they have of course already qualified for the World Cup.

Now we'll have another week together to try and keep topping the work that we've already done up. Obviously we would prefer to have much more time together though."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on Four Diegos Socceroo team selection…

Diegos: "News in Australia is that Paul Okon may be ready after his knee problems, Zelic is in good form, the ageless Milan Ivanovic is doing very well.

The Diegos have argued and argued about the team selection and formation but finally come up with a team. We will fax you that for your consideration.

Have you settled on a side or are you waiting a bit longer?"

Venables: "No I won't settle on a side until I see what you guys have come up with and heard your opinions."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on the style of Aussie soccer…

Diegos: "You've had a good look at Aussie soccer.

How would you describe the natural style of Australian soccer?"

Venables: "A lot of people have talked about the negative side of the different nationalities involved in the game in Australia and the way they approach the game but in my view there is a plus to that because you get a mixture of all those things.

A lot the ethnic influences involved in Australian soccer are technically very, very good and I think that the Australian upbringing is a great foundation from the point of view that it is based on a very competitive, want to be outdoors and want to be the best at sport philosophy.

If you can get this combination into the players then that can only be very good for the game now and in the future."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on good old Aussie greetings…

Diegos: "When David Hill gave you the job did he give you any of the traditional Australian greetings like a wedgy, fuzz nut or did he dack you?"

Venables: "Nah the Glaswegian Kiss was sufficient."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on Aussie flies…

Diegos: "When you first took on the Socceroos the Diegos came to supervise one of your training sessions on a typically hot day in Melbourne.

We were watching you training the boys and we were astounded by the complicated tactical maneuvers and the way you were moving your arms around, pulling all sorts of faces and getting your point across.

Now being honest were you issuing tactical instructions or were you just merely swatting away the Aussie flies?"

Venables: "That's exactly what I was going to say. You took my answer right out of my mouth."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on being the most hated man in England…

Diegos: "It's often been said that you've got a Midas touch.

Do you think it's a bit of karma, you coaching Australia and possibly making the World Cup, meeting up with the likes of Scotland, England and the Republic of Ireland in the same group and you becoming the king of Australia and the most hated man in England?"

Venables: "Why should we change habits of a lifetime?"

Diegos: " Are you on the phone to Glenn Hoddle telling him that there is a Green and Gold looking to knock him and his English team over?"

Venables: "I'm on to him on the other phone as we speak."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997

Venables on coaching the Jamaican bobsled team…

Diegos: "UK journo Richard Littlejohn described you taking over the Socceroos akin to taking over the Jamaican Bobsled team.

What are your thoughts about that comment?"

Venables: "That bloke is a little beauty isn't he? He is a constant pain in the neck.

This is part of the motivation isn't it? When people give you stick you either lay down and die or you get up and fight.

Australians all know about that and you don't like people getting one over on you so I'd say it was in the nature of Aussies that they would get up and fight."

Soft Sombrero Moment 1997