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Ange Postecoglou

by Marc Fox

Ange: my young guns can Roar

Ange Postecoglou is sometimes considered more famous for a seven-minute heated argument with player-turned-pundit Craig Foster on TV than his coaching career to date.

But the recently installed Brisbane Roar coach is determined to vanquish that YouTube moment and shove the opinions of his latest critics back down their throats as he sets about rebuilding one of the A-League's biggest underachievers.

Postecoglou was the coach of Australia's under-17s and under-20s when Foster famously launched a televised tirade against him after a dismal showing at the AFC youth tournament in 2006.

And he's already enjoyed his fair share of criticism over the past two months, notably the sniping from former team boss Frank Farina, who lost his position at the club because of a drink-driving offence, and accusations from Charlie Miller, who walked away from the Roar when told he shouldn’t expect a contract extension.

Brisbane beat fellow Queenslanders the Fury 2-0 this week, after which Postecoglou blasted back at his snipers: "People saw the future of Brisbane Roar tonight."

Postecoglou spent seven years coaching Australia's youth representatives – with marginal levels of success – before his axing in 2007.

But his vociferous support of the country's youth players has been deafening since his arrival at Suncorp Stadium, and Postecoglou has already started to apply those same principles to the Roar.

His reaction to some sloppy form at the beginning of the campaign has been swift and surprising, with first choice goalkeeper Liam Reddy and Scottish midfielder Charlie Miller both allowed to leave with immediate effect after it was made clear neither was part of Postecoglou's plans for next season and beyond.

Although the Roar clearly needed a changing of the guard, the departure of Miller, the league's reigning overseas player-of-the-year, has caused some consternation despite the former Rangers man's trouble repeating the form of his maiden A-League season.

The portly Miller is close friends with Roar captain Craig Moore, after the pair started their careers together at Ibrox, and became a firm fans' favourite on his arrival with a string of goals from his advanced midfield position despite never quite appearing at full fitness.

The 33-year-old has since leapt at the chance of signing a short-term deal with arch-rivals Gold Coast United and hasn’t exactly held back about Postecoglou's coaching methods in the local media, damning the newcomer for shipping out the older players.

It's little surprise that Farina, who still writes a newspaper column, has also been quick to use it to wade into Postecoglou's decision to release Miller.

One thing for certain is that it will add further spice to the Boxing Day derby between the two Queensland clubs next week.

Foster's beef a few years ago was how Postecoglou was developing the country's best up-and-coming talents, but 20-year-old central defender Luke DeVere has seen enough to commit his services until 2013. Postecoglou believes DeVere is the best young defender in the country.

His next objective will be convincing leading scorer Sergio Van Dijk to agree new terms. The Dutch striker is in the final year of his deal and has been linked with a move to Sydney, Adelaide and even new franchise Melbourne Heart.

However, it's all, it seems, part of the Postecoglou master plan.

"We know what we're doing," he maintained.

"We've got a young and exciting group of players, who are all committed for next year and beyond, and that's what we're going to build this team around."

Marc Fox

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