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Ange to quit Socceroos – even if we qualify for Russia

Ange Postecoglou is set to walk away from his post as Socceroos coach in November, even if the team qualify for next year’s World Cup.

Oct 11, 2017, updated Oct 11, 2017
Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. Photo: Lukas Coch, AAP.

Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou. Photo: Lukas Coch, AAP.

Postecoglou, who replaced Holger Osieck in 2013, will reportedly quit after next month’s intercontinental playoff and would have even if they qualified directly for Russia 2018.

After the Socceroos failed to do so in September the 52-year-old decided to stay on until Australia navigated the arduous play-off route, according to News Corp.

Football Federation Australia were scrambling to ascertain all the facts after news broke today, with chief executive David Gallop understood to be unaware of Postecoglou’s intentions.

Having publicly stated he’ll leave his post at the conclusion of this World Cup cycle to pursue club opportunities overseas, Postecoglou offered no hints he was planning an early exit after last night’s win over Syria.

The reported decision follows scathing criticism in recent months over his unapologetically expansive philosophy and mid-qualification formation change.

The Asian Cup-winning mentor’s departure would leave an enticing World Cup coaching spot free if Australia make it past their next opponent from CONCACAF – likely Panama or Honduras, with the US an outside chance.

Postecoglou was in customarily combative form following Tuesday’s 2-1 Syria win, sealed by two Tim Cahill headers.

“It just astounds me that people keep thinking this is supposed to be easy,” he said.

“You saw what it meant to the opposition tonight. It’s going to mean the same for the other opposition.

“I just don’t get it when people think it’s supposed to be some … show me the evidence that we’ve cruised through to a World Cup.

“Even the first year in Asia we got through strong under Pim Verbeek, fantastic performance but we weren’t smashing teams. Last time we got through in the last game.

“There is no evidence to say that anyone in this confederation is easy … if people think we go into games thinking we’re going to smash the opposition here because we’re that far superior, they haven’t been watching.”

– AAP

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