Former Australia keeper Mark Bosnich has called for Football Federation Australia to do what it can to lure former Manchester United coach Sir Alex Ferguson to lead the Socceroos at next year’s World Cup.
German Holger Osieck was fired last week after the Socceroos dropped a second consecutive international friendly to a 6-0 result. Accoring to Bosnich, who played under Ferguson at Man U, the 72-year-old is the perfect man for the job.
“Well we’ve been throwing around a lot of things but there’s one person that I haven’t heard mentioned – even though I’ve got more reason than anyone not to suggest him, I’m just being honest and have had experience under him, so know what he’s like – is Sir Alex Ferguson,” Bosnich told Triple M radio.
“That name hasn’t been put about, but someone of that ilk. Either him or someone of that ilk needs to come down and start to put a few people in their place.”
Bosnich hopes FFA is honest about how much they can afford to spend on the incoming Socceroos coach.
“It’s a full-time commitment. In life, and especially in sport, you get what you pay for. If you want the very best, well you’re going to have to pay for the best,” Bosnich said.
“I’m not privvy to the financial situation of the FFA but if we cannot afford to pay the best, I don’t think there’s any problem in saying that. I don’t think there’s any problem saying that publicly and people would understand that. Everybody has different means.
Despite leading the Socceroos to the nation’s third straight World Cup appearance in June, Osieck was stood down from his position after consecutive 6-0 losses to Brazil and France in September and October.
Former Dutch coach Guus Hiddink is rumoured to be among FFA’s top candidates to take over the role after leading Australia to a historic Last 16 effort in 2006 in Germany, however his agent Cees van Nieuwenhuizen told the ABC on Monday no official negotiations have taken place between the two parties.
Also on Monday, The English Football Association offered the Socceroos a mid-November friendly at Wembley- a match that could make the FFA $500,000 should the crowd reach 60,000.
The Socceroos embarrassed England 3-1 at Upton Park nine years ago in an international friendly.
Get amongst CraveOnlineAU on Twitter and Facebook for daily sport, music, entertainment and gaming news.
Follow Robert White on Twitter @RobertWhitebrrr.
Photo: Getty Images.
