charles
Graham Fisher
Andrew Aigner-Muehler
LukeS
HardyWho is Pim Verbeek?
December 11th 2007 05:30
Dutchman Pim Verbeek has been named the new Head Coach of the Socceroos through to the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign by Football Federation Australia.
But what do we know about the man in charge of leading the Socceroos to South Africa in around two and a half year's time?
Not a lot. And neither does Socceroos and West Ham defender Lucas Neill, apparently.
“I only know him from googling.
“Truthfully it surprised me, it surprised me the fact that we were bandying about Jurgen Klinsmann, Gerard Houllier and Pim Verbeek never came into the equation.
“When it was announced last night and I got the message it was like not a bad surprise, oh we have got him.”
“Truthfully it surprised me, it surprised me the fact that we were bandying about Jurgen Klinsmann, Gerard Houllier and Pim Verbeek never came into the equation.
“When it was announced last night and I got the message it was like not a bad surprise, oh we have got him.”
Badoom-Touche!
He recovers by saying that he had heard previous coach Guus Hiddink speak of Verbeek highly and that his vast experience in Asian football should be vital in leading Australia to the World Cup finals in 2010.
Huh? VerbEEEEEEEEEEEK?
“I know stories from the time we were together during the World Cup when (coach) Guus (Hiddink) spoke of him and he spoke highly of him.
“He is experienced in Asia and he got South Korea third in the Asia Cup and let’s face it we failed (at the Asia Cup).
“What he is going to bring is an experience in Asia and how to win games in Asia.
“When we get to the World Cup it is a world thing but at the moment we just have to focus on getting through Asia and maybe he is the best man for the job in Asia.”
“He is experienced in Asia and he got South Korea third in the Asia Cup and let’s face it we failed (at the Asia Cup).
“What he is going to bring is an experience in Asia and how to win games in Asia.
“When we get to the World Cup it is a world thing but at the moment we just have to focus on getting through Asia and maybe he is the best man for the job in Asia.”
According to Wikipedia, Verbeek is 51 (March 12, 1956) and has been mostly managing Dutch football clubs since 1981. He was the assistant coach of South Korea at the 2002 and 2006 World Cup and was promoted to head coach for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup. He led Korea to a third-place finish thus guaranteeing them an automatic berth in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup tournament.
Now that we have this new little Pim Verbeek fact-file on Soccer.org.au, perhaps the other Socceroo members can learn more about their new head coach from Orbling?
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