6: Eddie Thomson

Generally regarded by players as one of the best man-managers in the game, Thomson took over from Frank Arok in the national job after being an assistant.

Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
Asensio's Screamer Vs FC Barcelona
In one of Real Madrid's most outstanding performances at the Camp Nou, Los Blancos beat FC Barcelona 3-1 in the Spanish Supercup. Real were leading 2-1 after Cristiano Ronaldo's 80th minute goal, but just before the final whistle, we sealed the win with this beautiful Marco Asensio strike.
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He was immediately successful at the Barcelona 1992 Olympics. First, the Olyroos under Thomson stunned a star-studded Holland to qualify for the Olympics. Then the Australians surprised many by making the semi-finals before ending up fourth in the tournament.

The Socceroos were not disgraced a year later when Thomson’s side were edged out by Maradona’s Argentina in World Cup 1994 qualifiers (a deflected goal away in South America the difference).

Thomson left to coach in the J-League – one of the few local coaches to have had that honour - as Terry Venables took over the Socceroos in 1997.

At club level, Thomson found great success with Sydney City in the early to mid-1980s as the club became a powerhouse of the NSL. Tragically, Thomson passed away of cancer in 2003.

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