Where now for the FFA?

The decision of Dick Advocaat to break his contract to coach the Socceroos has hit the FFA hard. An exhaustive 18 month search to find a man to replace Guus Hiddink seemed to be at an end when the FFA secured a man well used to following in Hiddink’s more illustrious footsteps. But now with the World Cup Qualifying campaign underway in less than 3 months, we’re back to square one.

Advocaat ticked many boxes for the FFA; Dutch, top level European career and crucially, experience of coaching in Asia. But for many neutral observers, Advocaat appeared nothing but a Hiddink-lite; a man who has made a career out of following Guus into jobs, and failing to match his achievements. He did it at PSV, with South Korea, even with a job in Russia, but it seems that the mighty rouble was too much to resist.

So where now for the FFA? The names linked with the job all have a hint of “de Oranje” to them. Verbeek, Janssen, Neeskens, Jol, even Rijkaard has been spoken of, as the governing body seem set on following the Dutch model. But perhaps more telling are the quotes from technical director Rob Baan, “All quality coaches are signed already. Klinsmann is one of the names which is available.”

Baan knows Dutch football better than anyone, and if he is putting Klinsmann at the top of his list, then maybe the FFA’s obsession with the Dutch will have to be put on hold. On paper Klinsmann appears a strong chance, but much of his success was based around having a strong core of coaches and specialists around him. Jurgen was the motivator. That wouldn’t happen here.

The name of Houllier was mentioned frequently over the past 18 months, but that ship may have sailed with the ex-Liverpool boss now the technical director of French Football. All of which leaves 2 names amongst the favoured group, Philippe Troussier and Jorvan Vieira. Both with huge Asian experience and both available. They may not have the box office draw of a Klinsmann or an Advocaat, but they know how to get Asian teams winning.

Of course if England qualify ahead of Russia for Euro 2008, there may be another Dutch coach back on the market…………….