Top Ten Aussie Gaffers

EXCLUSIVE: Australia has produced talented managers who’ve made their mark at World Cups, Club World Cups, Asian Champions Leagues, A-Leagues, NSLs and Asian Cups – we rate them from ten to one. But this was no easy task as most if not all managers found success in different competitions over different times with differing sets of squads – and resources – at their disposal. It was tough to lock down the final ten with some well-known names just missing out. So here it is… but what do you think?

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1: Rale Rasic

This name is forever etched in our football history for guiding the Socceroos on a mammoth qualification journey for West Germany 1974 – Australia’s first ever foray on the world’s biggest stage.

And with a squad of mainly part-time players scattered across various state leagues (the NSL didn’t kick off till 1977), Rasic guided the green and gold to a respectable finish against high class opposition before, inexplicably, he was dumped post-World Cup.

Rasic also managed a host of local clubs but it was his five-year stint with the Socceroos from 1969 that is most fondly remembered. In 2001 he was awarded the Australian Sports Medal and Centenary Medal for services to the game and to this day remains a legend of the sport.