EXCLUSIVE: A year ago it was, Pim who? Since then, the Dutch-born coach has calmly guided Australia into a strong position to qualify for the World Cup.
This time last year, Australia had its big name coach in place. Then, Dick Advocaat decided money was more important than honouring a contract. It left FFA in a bind. With the first World Cup qualifier in early February, a decision had to be made. Fast.
Zico, Roy Hodgson, even Phillipe Troussier flew in for a quiet chat with FFA dealmakers. In the end, Verbeek's mix of Asian and Dutch experience got him over the line.
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater publicly called the appointment "disappointing" while some current Socceroos had to Google Verbeek, known more for being Guus Hiddink's long-term 2IC.
We shouldn't have worried. Verbeek has planned meticulously, been honest about his selections and quietly charmed the media and fans.
Verbeek's taken charge of 13 games this year. Australia has won eight, drawn three and lost two.
The only loss in a meaningful match was the 1-0 World Cup qualifier round three defeat in Dubai against Asian Cup champions Iraq - and even that was courtesy of a Mark Schwarzer mistake.
That said, Australia was fortunate to have come away with the three points in Brisbane a week earlier in the 1-0 win.
And that's been one of the threads of the first year of Verbeek - even when Australia is not playing well, the green and gold have been able to come away with the points.
Verbeek rated:
Tactics: Very good
Favours the 4-2-3-1 but he has shown versatility and pragmatism when needed. For instance in China, with no fit strikers, Australia played without a strikeforce for most of the game and could've pinched the points after Schwarzer's penalty save. And going with the two strikers in the year's first qualifier against Qatar showed he can be flexible when the mood strikes.
Man-management: Very good
Again, he's barely missed a beat. He has publicly said he still wants Mark Viduka and has met with the Newcastle striker - who has been uncertain about his national team future. His selection of Kewell as a captain was a masterstroke with the Galatasaray man weighing in with important goals and revelling in his role as skipper. The players have also been complimentary about Verbeek's ability to relate to them on a one-on-one basis and understand European club demands.
Selections: Very good
He hasn't been scared to give the kids a go with James Holland, Bruce Djite and James Troisi all getting some game time. But his strongest squad picks itself with Josh Kennedy getting more game time and blossoming as a result. And names like Jacob Burns have returned to the fold and slotted in seamlessly to the midfield while the ascension of Jade North has been particularly pleasing from an A-League and Indigenous view point.
Media: Very good
The "overseas players in reserve teams are better than A-League players" comment got some heat but it showed Verbeek was willing to call it the way he sees it. And the Rotterdammer was man enough to admit the Socceroos need to improve after escaping from Manama with the three points last week. He rarely gets carried away and has said consistently from day one he has only one goal - World Cup qualification. An honest media performer who, while lacking the charisma of a Hiddink, is beginning to relax and show more of his personality.
Planning: excellent
AFC World Cup qualifying is all about planning and logistics. The FFA does this sort of thing very well with team manager Gary Moretti a key figure. Verbeek does his homework too and utilises his excellent network and knowledge of Asian footy. Henk Duut, Verbeek's hand-picked assistant, has also been vital in this regard as well. Coordinating the travel, training and acclimatization has been a huge job (and with occasional bouts of food poisoning thrown in), but Verbeek's handled it well, particularly with the amount of non-FIFA dates Australia has played.
Socceroo highlights under Pim
• Beating Qatar 3-1 away in the heat of Doha in round three of World Cup qualifiers
• Defeating world number Holland 2-1 in the Netherlands in a friendly.
• Gaining revenge on Iraq last June in a World Cup qualifier winning 1-0.
And lowlights
• Beating Ghana at the SFS 1-0. A disjointed, shoddy performance that ditched the possession, pass and move football for a long-ball, physical game reminiscent of a decade ago.
• Defeating Bahrain 1-0 in Manama last week. A very lucky win against a lesser opponent that put pressure on our star players. But three vital World Cup points nonetheless.
Zico, Roy Hodgson, even Phillipe Troussier flew in for a quiet chat with FFA dealmakers. In the end, Verbeek's mix of Asian and Dutch experience got him over the line.
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater publicly called the appointment "disappointing" while some current Socceroos had to Google Verbeek, known more for being Guus Hiddink's long-term 2IC.
We shouldn't have worried. Verbeek has planned meticulously, been honest about his selections and quietly charmed the media and fans.
Verbeek's taken charge of 13 games this year. Australia has won eight, drawn three and lost two.
The only loss in a meaningful match was the 1-0 World Cup qualifier round three defeat in Dubai against Asian Cup champions Iraq - and even that was courtesy of a Mark Schwarzer mistake.
That said, Australia was fortunate to have come away with the three points in Brisbane a week earlier in the 1-0 win.
And that's been one of the threads of the first year of Verbeek - even when Australia is not playing well, the green and gold have been able to come away with the points.
Verbeek rated:
Tactics: Very good
Favours the 4-2-3-1 but he has shown versatility and pragmatism when needed. For instance in China, with no fit strikers, Australia played without a strikeforce for most of the game and could've pinched the points after Schwarzer's penalty save. And going with the two strikers in the year's first qualifier against Qatar showed he can be flexible when the mood strikes.
Man-management: Very good
Again, he's barely missed a beat. He has publicly said he still wants Mark Viduka and has met with the Newcastle striker - who has been uncertain about his national team future. His selection of Kewell as a captain was a masterstroke with the Galatasaray man weighing in with important goals and revelling in his role as skipper. The players have also been complimentary about Verbeek's ability to relate to them on a one-on-one basis and understand European club demands.
Selections: Very good
He hasn't been scared to give the kids a go with James Holland, Bruce Djite and James Troisi all getting some game time. But his strongest squad picks itself with Josh Kennedy getting more game time and blossoming as a result. And names like Jacob Burns have returned to the fold and slotted in seamlessly to the midfield while the ascension of Jade North has been particularly pleasing from an A-League and Indigenous view point.
Media: Very good
The "overseas players in reserve teams are better than A-League players" comment got some heat but it showed Verbeek was willing to call it the way he sees it. And the Rotterdammer was man enough to admit the Socceroos need to improve after escaping from Manama with the three points last week. He rarely gets carried away and has said consistently from day one he has only one goal - World Cup qualification. An honest media performer who, while lacking the charisma of a Hiddink, is beginning to relax and show more of his personality.
Planning: excellent
AFC World Cup qualifying is all about planning and logistics. The FFA does this sort of thing very well with team manager Gary Moretti a key figure. Verbeek does his homework too and utilises his excellent network and knowledge of Asian footy. Henk Duut, Verbeek's hand-picked assistant, has also been vital in this regard as well. Coordinating the travel, training and acclimatization has been a huge job (and with occasional bouts of food poisoning thrown in), but Verbeek's handled it well, particularly with the amount of non-FIFA dates Australia has played.
Socceroo highlights under Pim
• Beating Qatar 3-1 away in the heat of Doha in round three of World Cup qualifiers
• Defeating world number Holland 2-1 in the Netherlands in a friendly.
• Gaining revenge on Iraq last June in a World Cup qualifier winning 1-0.
And lowlights
• Beating Ghana at the SFS 1-0. A disjointed, shoddy performance that ditched the possession, pass and move football for a long-ball, physical game reminiscent of a decade ago.
• Defeating Bahrain 1-0 in Manama last week. A very lucky win against a lesser opponent that put pressure on our star players. But three vital World Cup points nonetheless.
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