FOOTBALL Federation Australia today confirmed Dutchman Pim Verbeek as
the new Socceroos coach through to the end of the 2010 World Cup campaign.
The former South Korea boss will have two months with the Australian side
before the World Cup qualifiers begin on February 6 against Qatar.
A former assistant to Dick Advocaat, who turned down the Socceroos post
at the last minute last month, Verbeek also worked under previous Socceroos
coach Guus Hiddink in 2002.
The 51-year-old's most noteworthy achievement in 25 years
of coaching was guiding South Korea to the Asian Cup semi-finals this
year.
He has also coached Sparta Rotterdam, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Fortuna
Sittard in the Dutch league.
While his pedigree is not as impressive as Frenchman Phillippe Troussier,
who was the other front-runners for the job, FFA chairman Frank Lowy said
it was a "major, major plus", that Verbeek would base himself
in Australia as much as possible.
Lowy was also encouraged by Verbeek's extensive knowledge of Asia, which
"is our home turf".
Verbeek takes over from Graham Arnold and Rob Baan, who both worked as
interim coaches in the time since Hiddink left the post following the
2006 World Cup.
Arnold will return to assistant coach while Baan will also remain heavily
involved with the side.
"After very careful consideration and a rigorous recruitment process
I am delighted that we have secured the services of a very experienced
and respected national coach," said Lowy, via video hook-up from
Singapore where he and other FFA officials, including CEO Ben Buckley,
had met with Verbeek.
"I think it's an understatement that I'm relieved," he added,
referring to the marathon process involved in finding a long-term replacement
to Hiddink.
"We were very impressed with his knowledge of Australia and our team."
Verbeek said he was excited about the challenge ahead and was very confident
he would secure Australia's passage into the 2010 World Cup.
"I'm very proud and very happy that I'm the national team coach of
the Socceroos," said Verbeek."
"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of qualifying for the
2010 FIFA World Cup.
"I intend to become as familiar as possible with football in Australia
and I will be based in Australia and intend to relocate immediately.
"I will be in Australia next week to observe players in the final
rounds of the Hyundai A-League."
,
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