Pim Verbeek named new Socceroos coach

Football Federation Australia today named Pim Verbeek as the new Head Coach of the Socceroos through to the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.

Football Federation Australia today named Pim Verbeek as the new Head Coach of the Socceroos through to the end of the 2010 FIFA World Cup campaign.

The former Korea Republic coach will start immediately with his first match in charge set to be the opening 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier on 6 February 2008.

“After very careful consideration and a rigorous recruitment process I am delighted that we have secured the services of a very experienced and respected national coach for the Socceroos,” said FFA Chairman Mr. Frank Lowy.

“Football fans can rest assured that the FFA has worked diligently to secure a coach with the qualities and enthusiasm that will give the Socceroos every chance of success.”

“Pim Verbeek has a vast range of experience he has gained over 25 years in coaching, including several stints in Asia, and we believe he is the right man for the job of leading the Socceroos to the 2010 FIFA World Cup.”

“I would like to pay tribute to Graham Arnold and Rob Baan who have done a very good job as interim coaches while our search has been conducted.”

Verbeek, 51, was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and spent most of his playing career with Sparta Rotterdam. He went on to coach that team in 1981 and since then has gone on to hold a variety of coaching positions.

“Finding the coach who we felt would be able to guide us through a very challenging FIFA World Cup qualifying path has been our number one priority and we are delighted that Pim Verbeek will be the man to lead the national team,” said FFA CEO Mr. Ben Buckley.

Verbeek-s career has seen him hold coaching appointments in some of Europe-s highest credentialed leagues and clubs including Dutch giants Feyenoord and PSV Eindhoven and Germany-s Borussia Monchengladbach.

He has also been employed by the KNVB (Netherlands Football Federation) in a coach development role and with the national team in a scouting role.

“I am looking forward to the challenge ahead of qualifying for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and I am committed to also helping to develop the game in Australia,” said Mr Verbeek.

“I intend to become as familiar as possible with football in Australia and I will be based in Australia and intend to relocate immediately.”

“I will be in Australia next week to observe players in the final rounds of the Hyundai A-League.”

“I am excited to be involved in what is an exciting time for football in Australia and I look forward to assisting the FFA in developing football in Australia and making myself available to support the national football development plan, in particular working with Australian coaches.”

Having worked extensively under former Socceroos Head Coach Guus Hiddink at both club and international level, Verbeek has solid understanding of the style and structure he likes to play. The two Dutchmen enjoyed enormous success with Korea Republic reaching the semi finals of the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

With Australia-s 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying path through the Asian Football Confederation, Verbeek boasts excellent knowledge of the region having coached at club level in Japan as well as stints as Assistant Coach at both the United Arab Emirates and Korea Republic, firstly under Hiddink and then under Dick Advocaat at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Following the tournament he was promoted to Korea-s Head Coach position where he led the team to third place at the 2007 AFC Asian Cup.