Berger facing whopper of a task
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Australia's new technical director Han Berger has vowed to equip future generations of Socceroos with skills that will allow them to compete at the highest level in world football.
Berger, 58, was this week appointed by Football Federation Australia as the successor to the retiring Rob Baan, continuing the Dutch revolution of Australian football in recent years.
Berger, a former coach of Dutch premier league teams including FC Utrecht, FC Groningen, Fortuna Sittard and Sparta Rotterdam, arrived in Sydney yesterday morning acknowledging he faced a "really big challenge".
There have been concerns about the lack of emerging talent to replace the stars of the current Socceroos squad and Berger planned to start with the basics in ensuring players' technical skills players were developed from a young age.
He had been "positively surprised" about the standard of the A-League and noted strong British influence in the physicality and athleticism of Australian players, something he wanted to build on.
"I think the goal is to be competitive on the world's top level, especially with a focus on 2018 (Australia's World Cup bid)," said Berger, who described himself as of the "romantic" Dutch philosophy of football.
"You have to keep the strong characteristics that each country has - your own identity - but you can never be successful on the world's top level when you don't have the qualities that are requested.
"So in order to move to the top level that FFA want, it's all about technique under the highest pressure on the highest speed of the game.
"That's why you have to start at the bottom by developing players who have those qualities."
Berger's first assignment will be to report back to the FFA with a review of current programs and initiatives and recommend changes.
He will then track,identify and develop talented players and work closely with clubs, state and territory football federations and sports institutes to oversee development programs.
FFA chief executive Ben Buckley said Berger would be "one of the most senior executives" with the federation and given sufficient staff and resources to achieve his objectives.
Berger's appointment continues the trend of Dutchman joining FFA since the appointments of Guus Hiddink and Johan Neeskens in 2005.
Socceroos coach Pim Verbeek and his assistant, Henk Duut, as well as Young Socceroos and Australian Institute of Sport head coach Jan Versleijen are other Dutchman to have been recruited.
Mr Buckley denied the "revolution" had been intentional and played down concerns the lack of variety could work against Australian football in the future.
"There's no doubt Dutch coaches and Dutch technical directors have an outstanding reputation around the world," he said.
"Our first priority has always been to get the best person for the job.
"The fact there is a consistent approach I think is a benefit, but it wasn't our priority when we set out."
Berger said he would happy to pass his role on to an Australian after his four-year contract runs out.
"I think at the end of the day it would be very good if an Australian is a national team coach or technical director and he could take over the job," Berger said.
-AAP
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