Pim Verbeek still believes it is best for Australia’s top young stars to be playing their football in Europe but not if it means rotting away and being starved of action.
The Socceroos coach joked that his abroad belief would no doubt be ‘back page news’ once again as he spoke to the media today after an FFA Conference in Sydney.
Verbeek was joined by A-League coaches Lawrie McKinna, Aurelio Vidmar, Dave Mitchell, Ricki Herbert and Frank Farina to discuss the new national youth development plan and youth league among other topics.
Emerging from the meeting the coach said his preferred scenario was for players to progress in Europe but that did not mean ‘abroad is best’ in any scenario.
Verbeek said his advice to any player, from the perspective of an international manager, was to encourage individuals to ply their trade in a high quality environment where they would best develop.
However, he is adamant that does not mean any overseas posting is superior to the Hyundai A-League. He said he had made it clear what he liked in terms of individuals playing domestic football.
Verbeek said: “What I definitely DON’T like is players leaving and not playing in leagues (abroad). That’s a waste.”
The coach said he did not want players failing to get match time overseas. In that instance it was better for them to playing in the A-League.
Verbeek was talking less than 24 hours after watching his first A-League grand final.
He said: “For me it was a typical final, a lot of emotion, a lot of energy. The fans were fantastic, I really enjoyed it.
"The game needed a goal. After that it started to be much more exciting. It was a very exciting finish. Both teams defended well and were well organised.
"I think players were tired. I saw problems with cramp so I think it was a very tough season for them.”
The major talking point was the dismissal of Danny Vukovic and Verbeek hoped the youngster will have learned his lesson.
He said: “It’s one of the things players have to learn. It’s stupid, no doubt about that and he should never have done that. You cannot accept things like that as a professional footballer.
“He is a very professional player, always wants to win, which is good but there are some limits. I think he had a very bad night.”
Verbeek was joined by A-League coaches Lawrie McKinna, Aurelio Vidmar, Dave Mitchell, Ricki Herbert and Frank Farina to discuss the new national youth development plan and youth league among other topics.
Emerging from the meeting the coach said his preferred scenario was for players to progress in Europe but that did not mean ‘abroad is best’ in any scenario.
Verbeek said his advice to any player, from the perspective of an international manager, was to encourage individuals to ply their trade in a high quality environment where they would best develop.
However, he is adamant that does not mean any overseas posting is superior to the Hyundai A-League. He said he had made it clear what he liked in terms of individuals playing domestic football.
Verbeek said: “What I definitely DON’T like is players leaving and not playing in leagues (abroad). That’s a waste.”
The coach said he did not want players failing to get match time overseas. In that instance it was better for them to playing in the A-League.
Verbeek was talking less than 24 hours after watching his first A-League grand final.
He said: “For me it was a typical final, a lot of emotion, a lot of energy. The fans were fantastic, I really enjoyed it.
"The game needed a goal. After that it started to be much more exciting. It was a very exciting finish. Both teams defended well and were well organised.
"I think players were tired. I saw problems with cramp so I think it was a very tough season for them.”
The major talking point was the dismissal of Danny Vukovic and Verbeek hoped the youngster will have learned his lesson.
He said: “It’s one of the things players have to learn. It’s stupid, no doubt about that and he should never have done that. You cannot accept things like that as a professional footballer.
“He is a very professional player, always wants to win, which is good but there are some limits. I think he had a very bad night.”
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