Postecoglou contract not renewed

National Youth Coach Ange Postecoglou completed his contract with Football Federation Australia on Monday February 5, after seven years in charge of the national youth teams – Under 17 and Under 20s.

National Youth Coach Ange Postecoglou completed his contract with Football Federation Australia on Monday February 5, after seven years in charge of the national youth teams - Under 17 and Under 20s.

An announcement about the future management of the under 17 and under 20 teams will be made in the near future, after a review of the teams' programs with National Technical Director Robert Baan.

Postecoglou was in charge of Australia U-17 and U-20 campaigns for the 2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 World Youth Championship and U-17 World Championships. Whilst Australia was in membership of - and qualifying through - Oceania, the teams under Postecoglou-s mentorship qualified on every occasion for their respective World Championships.

The highlights of his stewardship were in 2001, where both teams progressed to the second round in their respective World Championships, and in 2003 where the Under 20s (Young Socceroos) won their group, defeating eventual winners Brazil, only to be eliminated by the host UAE in the second round.

“Ange Postecoglou has contributed enormously to the development of youth players in Australia. Many of his players have progressed to the Socceroos and it is inevitable that many more from more recent youth teams will also make the senior national team in the future,“ said John Boultbee, FFA Head of High Performance.

“He also has had significant input into the structures around development in Australia, proposing several new initiatives, and in particular, he has recently contributed strongly to the Youth Development and Talent Identification Review being undertaken by FFA.

“His period as Youth Coach has been characterized by a very thorough monitoring and mentoring of the individuals in the youth sides, especially in the last few years where, in the absence of a National Youth League, he has often had to work proactively to ensure that national youth team players are given the opportunity to play meaningful matches when not in the national team. He has been a very strong advocate of the need for week in week out competition structure for developing players.

“Ange will no doubt continue to serve the sport of football in Australia well, and the FFA is very grateful for his excellent work with Australia-s young players, and the integrity, enthusiasm, dedication, skill and knowledge he brought to the position of National Youth Coach.”

Postecoglou had a distinguished playing career representing Australia as a Socceroo on four occasions from 1986 to 1988 and as a Young Socceroo before that. He played 193 NSL games for South Melbourne, winning two national league titles, and then went on to coach South Melbourne to two titles, and to the FIFA World Club Championship in 2000. He was also NSL Coach of the Year in 1998.