Government should fund Socceroos Manager
“The Government should fund the next Socceroos Coach!” I stated.
“Are you a communist Eamonn?” came the reply from my Legal Eagle, and Melbourne Victory friend.
I realised this was going to be a harder sell than I thought.
But take a moment.
I believe the Australian Government should fund the Socceroos Manager Position.
Radical? Not really.
Government gets involved in sports in so many ways. Look at the Australian Institute of Sport. Does Mark Viduka pay his scholarship back? Want more Olympic Gold medals? Need better swimming facilities?
The answer is the same. The government provides sports funding.
And what about business? Should they stand on their own two feet?
Subsidies to the Australian Car Industry, Private Health Companies and Australian Military Companies are widespread. No-one’s complaining.
So why not fund the Coach of the most important job in Australian sport.
Now before the League, Union and AFL fans jump up and down, just hear me out.
Australia is desperate to tie our future to Asia. China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Korea, Indonesia, and Thailand.
Which Australian team has made huge in roads into these countries in recent months? Football.
We’ve only been in Asia 18 months and already Socceroos, Matildas, Olyroos, Sydney FC and many more have played in or against these countries or major clubs from these countries.
Come back in 5 or 20 years and what bridges could or will be built?
Will our Coach be slamming the “Asians?” Will Vince Grella, or Lucas Neill or their equivalents be calling our latest nemesis cheats?
Will our players be wandering around half clad in hotels full of Muslim women?
I am not criticising the current squad. I’m looking to the future to ensure the Socceroos job is seen for what it is.
The foremost link of any community or sporting organisation with this huge populated region called Asia.
What goes in Saudi Arabia doesn’t follow in Japan. The region is diverse. The people are diverse.
When Australian businesses trade with China certain cultural norms are attended to to by the Aussie business men and women.
Football fans, and players, coaching staff and media need to aware of that they are the biggest face of Australia in Asia.
They are not just football fans and followers. Asian people will learn more about Australia and its image through football over the next twenty years. Which other sport or community group will bring you into Qatar, Japan India, China and Indonesia?
So we need a leader with football and tactical nous. Of course. But more importantly we need a coach and staff who make this nation proud.
We need a man who is culturally aware, a media legend across the continent, and a football manager extraordinaire.
You don’t get that from the current A-League list. You don’t get if from the current AIS staff.
What current Australian has such sensitivity, such awareness and such football knowledge?
Our football manager could improve our relationship with our Asian neighbours dramatically.
Imagine Iraq playing Australia in the Asian Cup Final in Jakarta last month. Who would the crowd have cheered? And why?
The football authorities need to appoint someone more than just a Coach.
The reason Graham Arnold is still there?
Clearly the FFA has no money. Rumours abound that the new manager will come one year out from the World Cup! Too late surely.
The Federal Government needs to sort this mess.
Fund the job. To promote our image, our nation.
Howard and Rudd. Towards Asia is a term often heard in business circles in this country.
It’s time to get strategic and serious. Football isn’t just a sport; it’s much more serious than that.
