The Postecoglou Era

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After the Golden Generation of 2006, Australian football fans experienced a dark time. The peak of superstars such as Harry Kewell and Lucas Neill had passed, and the messiah Guus Hiddink had called his time at the Socceroos. Desperate to continue their success, the Football Federation of Australia feebly tried to attract more of Europe's best managers, but only attracted B-grade names like Pim Verbeek and Holger Osieck. The once Golden Generation were getting too old, and the new generation wasn't quite there yet. The 2010 World Cup was a write-off, and Australian football deteriorated further. We all feared for the 2014 World Cup, should we even qualify, and 6-0 losses to France and Brazil were the writing on the wall. Holger Osieck was out, and the European manager era was over.

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The Australian public called for a home grown manager. Tony Popovic, mastermind of the newly founded Western Sydney Wanderers, was touted. As was Graham Arnold, assistant to Hiddink at the 2006 WC and one of Australia's best tactical minds. But in the end, the FFA paid the hefty sum of $1 million to Melbourne Victory to secure the A-League's most successful ever manager- Ange Postecoglou.

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And now the media and fans had something to cheer. With World Cup qualification secured, it was time for Ange to rebuild his squad and perhaps, just maybe, be competitive at the World Cup. The old names were on their way out; Kewell was swapped for Leckie, Neill for Spiranovic, Wilkshire for Franjic. It seemed that finally someone was willing to regenerate the ageing Socceroos squad, and the morale lifted even higher.


Everyone involved with the Australian national team cringed, for we had drawn the Group Of Death. Chile, Netherlands and Spain were all world class teams, and we were just a regenerating squad, one of the worst at the Cup. How could we cope? This was to be Postecoglou's first big test.


Much to the surprise of the country, you could say that Australia held their own in the World Cup. Yes, they may have lost all 3 games and conceded 9 goals in the tournament. But for a young, developing side up against 3 of the world's best countries, it was a valiant performance. Ange's tactics still needed some work, sure, and the players needed some time to get into the swing of international football, but there was certainly some light on the horizon.


Hi again guys, and welcome to my side story. My Heskey story is kind of stagnating as of present, and I can't guarantee regular updates from it, so I've decided to go on a little side venture with the Socceroos. After watching some tactically pleasing performances, I'm really eager to see if those tactics work on FM as well. I'll be taking the persona of Ange Postecoglou, although most updates will be in third person and in the form of news articles. Hopefully you enjoy!

First.

Good luck with Australia Feliks DO US PROUD

#InAngeWeTrust!

Australia suck.

But good luck anyway.

You could have at least picked a good nation, like England

In all seriousness, good luck Feliks, you'll make your nation proud

Good luck!

New story ooh! I'll be following

Walter Thanks Walt, I'll do my adopted nation proud

Josh_MU They made it as far into the World Cup as England so.....

Tallery Read above

Justice Thanks Justice!

Neal Neal <3

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On return from Brazil, Ange Postecoglou has spoken out with journalists about the Socceroos' performance at the World Cup. Speaking to Fox Sports' Andy Harper, the 48 year old had this to say.

"I think we played well, definitely, a lot of positives to take from our gameplan and our performances. There's also some improvements to be made, but we can work on that over the break."

Australia's next task will be the upcoming Asian Cup held on home soil, and Postecoglou says it will be the perfect opportunity to build on the World Cup performance.

"I've had my eye on the Asian Cup for a while now, I think it's going to be our chance to shine in front of the country. The World Cup was a good learning curve, now that we've got it out of the way we can build on it and make a good run at the Asian Cup."

The competition takes place in January, with matches held across the country. Australia's first friendly in the road to the Asian Cup will be a trip back to Brazil in September, to take part in a tri-series with Brazil and Ukraine. But for now, the World Cup squad will get a chance to rest and return to their clubs ahead of the upcoming season.

#InAngeWeTrust.

A nice update, I think the Asian Cup is a chance for you to accumulate some silverware and I look forward to your results against Ukraine and the might of Brazil!!

Australia are a developing nation with a few good young players coming through, so take them to your advantage

Nice start Feliks, there's definitely potential within this Australia squad, so hopefully Postecoglou will be the man to help realise this. Good luck!

Hoping for better luck then your last attempt mate

Good luck mate!

Walter Yeah the pressure's gonna be on at the Asian Cup, I need to get some positive results!

Tallery I'll try

pompeyblue Thanks pompey! I hope I can

walkinshaw Yeah I hope so

Jonte-23 Cheers bud

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Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou has named his first squad since the World Cup ahead of the tri-series with Ukraine and Brazil. The 23 man squad consists of just 6 A-League players, but Postecoglou insists there is good reason.

"I think that the players who are playing overseas have deserved their spots in the national team, but I'm always open to home based players."

Surprise inclusions into the squad include 17 year old Daniel De Silva, who has recently moved to Serie A club Roma, and fellow youngster Massimo Luongo, who is plying his trade with English club Swindon Town. The pair herald the future of the Australian national team, and it should be interesting to see how they are used in the new set-up.

Missing out with injury are World Cup regulars Matthew Leckie and Ivan Franjic, with Postecoglou deeming Franjic unfit for the matches. Leckie meanwhile is recovering from a pulled hamstring but is likely to be back in action after the friendlies.

Here's the full squad.