Craig Foster's weekly piece in the Sun-Herald deals, naturally enough, with the new National Football Curriculum. But what is very surprising in the article is the vicious excoriation of Han Berger's predecessor as Technical Director, Rob Baan. When Baan was appointed, he was greeted with open arms by Foster (and the rest of the SBS crew). Click to continue reading...

Ever since the FFA contracted the orange bug, they have appeared determined to import a presumed Dutch philosophy lock, stock and barrel. With the announcement of a "National Football Curriculum" today, things have gone a bit too far.
Complete tactical rigidity - exactly what Rob Baan warned against, when he stepped into his new position as Technical Director - has now been mandated for our national teams. Click to continue reading...

For Australian football's sake...go! There comes a time in everyone's career when it is time to move on...for Graham Arnold, for his own sake if no-one else's it's now.
Arnie has had two Campaigns, an Asia Cup and an Olympic campaign, where he was the Coach.
Who ever gets two Campaigns to fail in World Football? Click to continue reading...

Greame Arnold has the appearance of a man under siege. Seemingly frustrated at the continuing criticism of his squad selection for the upcoming Olympics he was again in the press yesterday defending his selections.
It seems he has backtracked from earlier comments where he appeared to dismiss the idea that Rob Baan and Pim Verbeek had input to the squad and has made it clear that the directive from the FFA executive is to bring home a medal (a clear indication that development of players for the Socceroos is not the priority). Click to continue reading...

Steve O'Connor's replacement at the AIS Dutchman Jan Versleijen is rumoured to have been given a contract worth between $300k & $350k a year; but has a get out clause after 6 months if the U20 Aust Team do not get through their World Cup qualifiers!
Great commitment!
Not sure what the AIS development program is supposed to do after 6 months (allows him to head back to UAE if he wants? Click to continue reading...

The younger Jan Versleijen, thank god he's Dutch!
FFA have announced the appointment of the new AIS Coach Jan Versleijen and four "young" coaching scholarship worth $25,000 per year for three years for Alistair Edwards, Paul Okon, Alex Tobin and Nicola Williams. Full release below.
SYDNEY
24 June 2008
Three former Socceroos, including two Socceroos captains, and a former national women's league player have been named today as the recipients of the inaugural Elite Coach Development Scholarships by Football Federation Australia (FFA), simultaneously with the announcement of 53 year old Jan Versleijen as the new Australian Institute of Sport (AIS)/Qantas Young Socceroos Head Coach. Click to continue reading...

For those that have missed the news, Rob Baan announced that he will not renew his contract which expires in six months. Citing a desire to return to the Netherlands and spend more time with his wife and family, it appears the 65 year is looking forward to retirement.
Hired back in Dec 2006, Baan was appointed to the role of Technical Director and tasked by Frank Lowy to. Click to continue reading...

"Make no misunderstanding winning is part of Youth Development," says Technical Director Rob Baan discussing the future Youth A-League on Total Football last night.
Craig Foster might not agree. But make no mistake about football is about winning:)
Just in case you'd forgot that in the "let's play beautiful at all times," sentiment flying around the airwaves. Click to continue reading...