Australian coach to step down - reports
Australia’s football coach Ange Postecoglou will reportedly step down after the intercontinental World Cup playoff against Honduras in November.
Melbourne newspapers The Age and Herald Sun, citing unnamed sources, said the 52-year-old would step down regardless of whether the Socceroos win or lose the twoleg playoff against the Central Americans.
Australia defeated Syria 2-1 after extra time in Sydney on Tuesday to move into the intercontinental playoff for next year’s finals in Russia.
Postecoglou, who replaced the sacked Holger Osieck in late-2013, coached the Socceroos at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil and guided the side to their maiden Asian Cup title on home soil the following year.
He has been under huge pressure in the final phase of Asian qualifying this year, however, with media pundits and former players regularly criticising his tactics, selections and insistence on an attacking game.
‘‘I am aware of reports today suggesting that I will step down as head coach of the Socceroos next month,’’ Postecoglou said later yesterday.
‘‘My sole focus is on preparing the team for our final two qualifying matches. I will not let anything compromise the team’s journey on getting to a fourth consecutive FIFA World Cup.’’
Australian media reported that Postecoglou has become increasingly upset over criticism of the team and his coaching style. Australia have lost only one game in the last round of continental qualifying, but have missed dozens of scoring chances and there has been widespread criticism of the team’s alignment in defence.
‘‘It just astounds me that people keep thinking this is supposed to be easy,’’ Postecoglou said after the Syria win.
FFA chief executive David Gallop said he had spoken to Postecoglou about the reports and agreed the focus should be on the November matches. ’’Beyond that, should we qualify, there is a period of some months until the World Cup and we agreed that we will need to lock in our setup as soon as possible to maximise our preparation time,’’ Gallop said.