Players ‘not listening’
Bosnich, Slater take aim at Postecoglou
TWO former Socceroos have led the backlash against Ange Postecoglou for the national team coach’s failure to get Australia to the World Cup.
Long-serving goalkeeper Mark Bosnich and English Premier League winner Robbie Slater have laid into Postecoglou after Australia’s qualifying fate was revealed.
The Socceroos defeated Thailand 2-1 on Tuesday night, but Saudi Arabia leapfrogged them into a World Cup place by defeating Japan 1-0 in Jeddah yesterday morning.
Australia must now confront a dangerous twopronged playoff route, which starts with a home and away leg with Syria next month.
According to Bosnich and Slater, they should also confront a coaching change.
The former Aston Villa and Manchester United gloveman laid bare his issues with Postecoglou’s approach, starting with his 3-2-4-1 formation.
“Don’t be using the national team as an experimental laboratory. It’s not there for that. It’s too important for that,” Bosnich told Fox Sports.
“We’re not England or Brazil or federations with a lot of money.
“We are strapped for cash and this game in this country needs us to qualify for the World Cup all the time.
“At the moment, he’s hanging by a thread in my opinion.
“If we go through the play- offoff route there should be serious consideration given to the fact we need a different voice because those players, regardless of what they’re saying publicly, aren’t responding like they used to.”
Slater saved his opinions until yesterday, when he said it was “time for a change”.
The two-time Oceania player of the year did not directly call for Postecoglou’s head but did criticise the nature of his set-up on Twitter.
“We need a new approach! Socceroos have lost there (sic) way! Enough bulls---! We now need saving,” he wrote.
“Sick of this blind alley culture where you can’t ask a question as it’s an insult to suggest there is a problem!
“To be fair it’s a mess and the players think we are against them!
“Who told them that I wonder!
“Toxic crap for me!”