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Verbeek named Socceroos coach
06/12/2007 10:30 - (SA)
Sydney - Pim Verbeek, who led South Korea to the Asian Cup semi-finals this year, has been named Australia's new soccer coach.
Football Federation Australian said on Thursday that Verbeek, 51, and Phillippe Troussier of France had been the front-runners for the job since another Dutch coach, Dick Advocaat, pulled out of his contract with the FFA last month.
Verbeek will have two months with the Australian side before the Soccer World Cup qualifiers begin February 6 against Qatar at Melbourne.
"I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of qualifying for the 2010 Soccer World Cup and I am committed to also helping to develop the game in Australia," said Verbeek. "I will be based in Australia and intend to relocate immediately.
"I am excited to be involved in what is an exciting time for football in Australia," he added.
Verbeek previously was assistant to former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink with South Korea when they were World Cup semi-finalists in 2002. Verbeek has also coached Sparta Rotterdam, Feyenoord Rotterdam and Fortuna Sittard in the Dutch league.
The Socceroos have been without a permanent coach since Hiddink quit the job after the World Cup finals in Germany last year, where Australia lost to eventual winners Italy in the second round.
FFA chairperson 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 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," Lowy said via video link from Singapore, where he and other FFA officials met with Verbeek.
"I think it's an understatement that I'm relieved. We were very impressed with his knowledge of Australia and our team."
- AP
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