Tony Vidmar has been appointed by Football Federation Australia (FFA) and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) as the AIS Senior Coach.
The former AC Breda, Rangers, Middlesbrough, Cardiff City and Central Coast Mariners defender has been brought in to oversee the AIS program and will also assist newly appointed Qantas Joeys head coach Alistair Edwards for the 2012 AFC U16 Asian Cup to be held in October, and for the 2013 FIFA U-7 World Cup a year later.
"Whilst the AIS program aims to provide the majority of players for the Qantas Joeys squads, the task of providing the daily training environment for the players and that of managing a team at international tournaments are slightly different.
"To recruit two former Socceroos and well credentialed coaches for the separate roles really enhances the support and development that these players will receive.
"Tony will work as Assistant Coach for the Qantas Joeys and accompany Alistair on the bench at their matches.
"Alistair will retain his role as the FFA Assistant Technical Director and continue to perform the duties that he has in the past as well.
"We are also in the process of appointing an Assistant Coach for the AIS program which we will announce in the near future.""Alistair and Tony have shown themselves, both as players and more recently as coaches, to be of the highest calibre and to have the right attitude, experience and personalities to be in charge of these two vital development programs," said FFA technical director Hans Berger.
