JEDINAK RETURNS FOR SOCCEROOS
DEFIANT Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou says he is “happy to have the discussion” about his future after Australia’s do-or-die World Cup qualifiers with Honduras.
Facing the media yesterday for the first time since News Corp reported last month he would stand down after the Honduras games regardless of the result, Postecoglou did little to dispel suggestions the upcoming matches will be his last in charge.
But while little clarity was given on that controversial topic, there is now more certainty around his squad with 25 players named for the twogame series, the first of which is in San Pedro Sula on Saturday week.
And after missing Australia’s last eight matches, captain Mile Jedinak is back having returned to Aston Villa action at the weekend after overcoming a groin injury.
But there is a fresh fitness concern around winger Robbie Kruse, who is suffering from a minor knee injury, a complaint which kept him out of VFL Bochum’s game yesterday morning.
Postecoglou said questions about his future were “hypothetical” and “irrelevant” until after the second leg of the playoffs at ANZ Stadium on November 15.
“I’m happy to have that discussion when we qualify,” Postecoglou said.
“If we don’t qualify ... my future is absolutely certain.”
The 2015 Asian Cup winning boss also took aim at critics who have called for him to quit to end all uncertainty about his tenure, saying the talk “doesn’t hurt” him.
“Some (people) suggest there’s disharmony so maybe some (players) will be happy if I’m going,” he said. “All along we’ve been focused on these two games and my intent is clear – to make sure we qualify.
“The rest of it? I’ve been called egocentric, selfish. There’s been calls for me to get sacked. You know what? I’m still here and I won’t change who I am or what I believe.
“That will be my legacy, and some people won’t like that because they don’t like me. Others may appreciate that.”
Postecoglou named 25 players instead of 23 because Mathew Leckie and Mark Milligan are suspended for the first leg. They will join the squad in Sydney.
Postecoglou said Kruse was “a little bit of a concern”, but denied Jedinak was selected purely for his leadership.
“His main contribution will be on the field,” he said.
“Mile’s in the squad because he’s almost to the point where he feels good and ready to play. From an experience point of view, it’s an enormous bonus.”