Postecoglou thought of quitting last year

ANGE Postecoglou came close to quitting the Socceroos a year ago, but was talked out of leaving the national team.

A day after Postecoglou told Football Federation Australia he intends to quit after November’s World Cup playoffs, it emerged he had considered his position towards the end of last year, in the midst of a run of draws Australia had in its World Cup program.

It is understood he held talks about his position with FFA officials then, who encouraged him to continue despite the criticism he felt he was under.

In the end he opted to do so, but has now made it clear he is determined to step away whether or not Australia qualifies for the World Cup.

It is also understood that decision has been several weeks in the making and it seems certain he will follow through on it once the two games against Honduras have decided Australia’s World Cup fate next month.

For now, he and FFA have agreed that they will maintain a public stance of focusing only on the November games, the dates for which have yet to be ratified by FIFA.

Postecoglou and FFA chief executive David Gallop held emergency talks yesterday.

Until the matches in November, Postecoglou’s time will be taken up planning for the logistics of travelling to and playing in the Central American republic and then returning to Sydney as quickly as possible for the second leg.

Meanwhile, a candidate for the role, Brisbane Roar boss John Aloisi, has insisted that Postecoglou’s successor should be a local coach.

Graham Arnold is the clear domestic favourite, having managed the team 10 years ago, but if Australia qualifies for the World Cup then a wide variety of foreign coaches are expected to apply for the role.

“We [Australian coaches] know the culture here in Australia, we know the mentality of the Australian players so I feel that it should be an Australian,” Aloisi said.

“As a player, I really felt that putting on that jersey meant something and as a coach, I feel that a national team coach, if he’s Australian, really feels something.”

YOU OK BOSS? Tim Cahill (right) and coach Ange Postecoglou afterter TuesdayTuesday’s s win. n.