Aloisi in dark on Ange call
BRISBANE Roar coach John Aloisi says he’d be surprised if criticism from the media and public had driven Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou to quit.
Aloisi said he had not spoken to Postecoglou – his close friend and coaching mentor, who refused to deny reports on Wednesday that he will resign after next month’s World Cup qualifying playoff against Honduras – and was unable to shed any light on his future.
“He must have his reasons. That’s all I can say,” Aloisi told reporters yesterday.
“Everyone wants to go to a World Cup as a player, as a coach, so he must have his reasons why. I don’t know what they are, I haven’t spoken to him about it.
“It’s a bit of a shock. But still, we haven’t heard if it’s 100 per cent true or not.
“We have to respect whatever decision he makes but I’d love him to be there at the World Cup coaching the Socceroos.”
Speculation is rife as to Postecoglou’s motivation for leaving, with some reports claiming it is because he feels undermined or unfairly targeted by critics of his methods and his recent controversial change of formation.
Aloisi said external pressure was unlikely to be the trigger.
“The criticism comes with the job, with being a coach,” he said. “Undermined? I don’t know, that’s something he has to answer.”
Football Federation Australia was already on the hunt for Postecoglou’s successor but didn’t think it would need one until after next year’s World Cup in Russia.
The big question it faces is whether it should go for an Australian coach or bring in a foreigner. Aloisi urged FFA to put their faith in another local if Postecoglou does walk away.