Advocaat Keeps Socceroos Top Job On Radar

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday August 17, 2007

Alex Brown in London

DICK Advocaat, the man most likely to take the reins of the Socceroos later this year, has revealed his desire to return to the international coaching ranks, but he will not consult associate and countryman Guus Hiddink for advice about the Australian job.

Speaking to the Herald from Bratislava, ahead of the UEFA Cup tie between his Russian side Zenit St Petersburg and Slovakian club FC Vion, Advocaat was evasive when asked whether he had finalised a deal to coach the Socceroos. He did, however, state that a return to the international ranks was on the cards, and he would not seek Hiddink's insights from last year's World Cup.

"I haven't asked Guus anything," Advocaat said. "Why would I? It is a decision for me to make. I am still to make that decision. I don't know what will happen. At the end of my current contract, I will either re-sign with the club I am working with now, or I will take an international assignment. I am not thinking about other clubs."

Whether Advocaat's uncertainty was genuine, or merely an attempt to defuse a potentially difficult situation with his current employers at Zenit, is uncertain, although Football Federation Australia insiders suggest the deal is effectively complete. It is expected the Dutchman will announce his move to Australia at the conclusion of the Russian season, and will lead Australia for its first attempt at World Cup qualification through Asia next February.

Advocaat refused to discuss the manner in which he was approached by FFA, whether the terms of a contract had been settled upon or, indeed, if he had signed one. "The little general" was also coy when asked his thoughts on the Socceroos' performances under the tenures of Hiddink and Graham Arnold.

"It is inappropriate for me to comment about such things," Advocaat said. "Now is not the time." He did, however, suggest that more than one national association had approached him about taking on their head coaching position.

"When your contract finishes, there are always rumours and people who want to speak to you about certain opportunities and what you are doing," he said. "But I cannot tell you exactly what those are, because it is difficult for me to speak about them right now. At the end of Zenit's season, I will have more to say."

Advocaat's resume makes for impressive reading, and in many ways mirrors that of Hiddink. Like Hiddink, Advocaat has coached Holland and South Korea on the international stage, as well as high-profile Dutch club PSV Eindhoven. Advocaat has also managed Scottish giants Rangers, with whom he achieved great success in his first two seasons as manager - claiming two cup victories and the Scottish league crown in his first year, then retaining the league title and earning a Champions League berth in his second - before taking on a front-office role.

His coaching career has not been without its share of controversy, most notably when he was at the helm of the Dutch national side during the Euro 2004 tournament. Despite qualifying for the semi-finals, Holland's tactics were heavily criticised by the Dutch media and several players. Advocaat eventually quit that post.

In recent years, the Dutchman has quit two coaching roles less than six months after signing on - the first with German club Borussia Monchengladbach, the second with the United Arab Emirates national team. And his most recent international assignment, leading South Korea into last year's World Cup, finished in disappointment, with the highly rated Asian side failing to make the round of 16, despite an inspired 1-1 draw with France.

But results have been kinder to Advocaat since linking with his current club. Zenit are currently in second place on the Russian league table, five points adrift of Spartak Moscow, and are performing strongly in the second half of the season.

A recent report out of Russia suggested that Advocaat would only consider a return to the club if they finished atop the Russian league at season's end. Advocaat's response?

"I will decide that after my contract," he said. "There are many things to consider."

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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