Hiddink Appointed Coach Of Socceroos For Wo
Football Federation Australia today confirmed former Dutch and South Korean national coach, Guus Hiddink, had been appointed to coach the Socceroos during the World Cup campaign.
The appointment has been made specifically to give Australia the best possible chance of success in the lead up to the World Cup after a 32-year absence from the finals.
The appointment will continue until the finals in Germany in June 2006 if Australia is successful in the play-offs in November 2005.
In the meantime, FFA will develop a longer-term strategy for the national coaching positions, structure and technical development at all levels of the game in Australia.
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy and FFA Chief Executive Officer, John O-Neill, said they were delighted Hiddink had signed up to coach the Socceroos for the World Cup campaign.
“He has had a distinguished career and his record speaks for itself,” Mr Lowy said. “We could not have hoped for a more qualified, internationally-recognised coach to lead us on the road to Germany.
“The Hiddink appointment is the best possible response to our immediate need which is to give Australia every chance of success in the World Cup play-offs and, hopefully, in the finals next year.”
Hiddink will start with the Socceroos immediately and conduct a training camp in the Netherlands in August. He will continue to coach PSV Eindhoven but will be with the Socceroos every time they are assembled and will spend time meeting and watching players in Europe and Australia.
Ron Smith will resume his role as National Technical Manager while Graham Arnold has been confirmed as Assistant Coach and will now move to a full-time role with the FFA assisting Hiddink with day-to-day planning and organisation.
Australia-s next match is part of the Powerade Series and will be a FIFA World Cup qualifier against the Solomon Islands at Aussie Stadium in Sydney on 3 September.
Hiddink has coached South Korea and The Netherlands to the semi-finals of World Cups and has won numerous trophies at club level.
Highlights of his coaching career include: 1987 - 1990 PSV Eindhoven (Dutch League Champions 1986/87, 1987/88, 1988/89. European Cup Winner 1998, Dutch Cup Winner 1987/88, 1988/89, 1989/90) 1990 - 1991 Fenerbache (Turkey) 1991 - 1994 Valencia (Spain) 1995 - 1998 Netherlands National Team (Semi Finalist 1998 FIFA World Cup) 1998 - 1999 Real Madrid (Toyota Cup Champion 1999) 2000 - 2001 Betis Sevilla (Spain) 2001 - 2002 South Korea National Team (Semi Finalist 2002 FIFA World Cup) 2002 - Current PSV Eindhoven (Dutch League Champions 2002/03, 2004/05. Dutch Cup Winner 2005. Semi Finalist European Champions League 2004/05).