Aussie greats pay tribute to ‘gentleman’ Verbeek

FOOTBALL: Mark Schwarzer led tributes yesterday to former Socceroos World Cup coach Pim Verbeek, who died late on Thursday night after a four-year battle with cancer.

The 63-year-old was appointed in 2007 after compatriot Dick Advocaat backflipped on taking the role.

Schwarzer, who played in all of the Socceroos’ games at the 2010 World Cup under Verbeek, posted a heartfelt tribute on Twitter to mark the passing of the Dutchman.

“He was an amazing human being, a true gentleman with an infectious smile. Someone I have had the privilege to call a friend. You will never be forgotten. My condolences to the Verbeek family,” Schwarzer wrote.

Socceroos legend Tim Cahill, who scored against Serbia at the 2010 FIFA World Cup under Verbeek, also paid tribute to his former manager.

“So sad to lose such a gentleman and someone who I respected a lot as a manager and person. Rest in peace Pim Verbeek,” he wrote on Twitter.

The former Sparta Rotterdam player took over only weeks before Australia began their qualifying campaign for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

The Socceroos reached the finals with two games to spare, but were hammered 4-0 by Germany in a disastrous opening match, before a 1-1 draw with Ghana left the Aussies needing to beat Serbia to have any chance of qualifying for the knockout stages.

Goals to Brett Holman and Cahill secured a 2-1 win but the Aussies missed out on goal difference to bring his reign to an end.