Van Marwijk to coach Socceroos his way

NEW Socceroos coach Bert van Marwijk would not have accepted the post if he didn’t think Australia could “survive” their World Cup group.

But the straight-shooting Dutchman, hired on a smashand-grab mission for this year’s tournament in Russia, has no intention of getting there on Ange Postecoglou’s philosophy.

A few hours after arriving in Sydney yesterday morning, van Marwijk drew a pronounced line under the Postecoglou era, declaring he would manage the national team his way and that it was a “mistake” to play a style that didn’t suit the players available.

While making clear there was nothing wrong with his predecessor’s approach, the 2010 World Cup finalist described himself as a “realistic coach” willing to do what it took to win.

That was not necessarily the ultra-pragmatism some expected, rather a respect for what he described as “modern football”, for how to influence a contest with and without the ball and score in transition.

“I have respect for the forLLEYTON mer coach but I do it in my way,” van Marwijk said.

“I go to the World Cup with only one thing that counts and that’s to survive the first round.

“I’m a realistic coach. I like creative football, I like to have the ball, but I also like to win – that is the most important thing.

“I think it’s important that we play in a way that fits the players and also the coach.”