Sydney - Football Federation Australia (FFA) on Wednesday announced that Ange Postecoglou has been appointed head coach of the national football team.
The FFA has confirmed that Postecoglou will lead the Socceroos to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, reports Xinhua.
The five-year agreement will see Postecoglou take charge of the Socceroos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Australia and in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches.
Postecoglou, 48, is expected to lead the Australian national team for the first time in a match against Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium, Sydney Nov 19.
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy said he was pleased to appoint an Australian as head coach of the Socceroos.
“But I have never taken the view that the coach should be an Australian for the sake of having an Australian. I have always believed we should get the best person we can for the job,” Lowy said in a statement.
“The fact that Ange is the best qualified, and an Australian, achieves our objective.”
FFA CEO David Gallop said he was delighted with the appointment of Postecoglou as the head coach of the Socceroos.
“We wanted the best person for the job of coaching the Socceroos to highest possible standards,” he said.
“It’s also very significant that Ange has a deep understanding of the culture and passion of Australian football. He’s a leader in every sense.”
Postecoglou is Australia’s most successful domestic club coach with four premierships, four championships and a continental title.
