Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced that Ange Postecoglou has been appointed Head Coach of the Socceroos.
The five-year agreement runs until August 2018 and will see Postecoglou takes charge of the Socceroos at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil, the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Australia and in the 2018 FIFA World Cup Asian qualification matches.
FFA Chairman Frank Lowy said he was pleased that his long-held ambition to appoint an Australian as coach of the Socceroos had been realised.
"It was always our plan that one day an Australian would be appointed coach, and I said precisely that when we appointed the previous coach," said Lowy.
"But I have never taken the view that the coach should be an Australian for the sake of having an Australian. I have always believed we should get the best person we can for the job.
"The fact that Ange is the best qualified, and an Australian, achieves our objective."
FFA CEO David Gallop said today the appointment of Postecoglou was symbolic of how far the game has come in the past decade under the leadership of Frank Lowy and his Board.
"I'm delighted that the game has reached the point where the best-qualified coach for the Socceroos happens to be someone who's learned his football in this country and who lives and breathes the mission of Australian football," said Gallop.
"It shows how the era of full-time professionalism in the Hyundai A-League and qualification for three consecutive FIFA World Cups is driving technical excellence.
"In Ange, the Socceroos will have a Head Coach who has exceptional experience and achievements on the domestic and international stage. In any recruitment situation you consider the overall package that the person brings to the role.
"We wanted the best person for the job of coaching the Socceroos to highest possible standards. It's also very significant that Ange has a deep understanding of the culture and passion of Australian football. He's a leader in every sense.
"The FFA Board have moved quickly on the preferred candidate and with the upcoming camp and match in November it was prudent to secure Ange's services this week."
Ange Postecoglou said he felt honoured and humbled to be chosen as Head Coach of the Socceroos.
"The Socceroos belong to the people of this nation," said Postecoglou. "It's my job to make sure we represent all that's good in Australian football. We need to strive for greatness, to play with spirit and have an unwavering belief in our mission.
"I was proud to represent my country as a player and I have the same immense feeling of pride today. I thank Frank Lowy, David Gallop and the FFA for having the faith in my ability to do this job successfully."
David Gallop has thanked the Melbourne Victory for agreeing to release Postecoglou from his contract with the Hyundai A-League club.
"The nation came calling for Ange and that left the Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro and his Board of Directors with a decision to make," said Gallop.
"Victory has done the right thing by Australian football and the club is to be commended."
