Asian Coaching Chaos: Australia, Japan, Iran, Korea On The Hunt

GOAL – Just a week ago, South Korea and Iran were the only big Asian powers to be sat at the bar in the nightclub called ‘Coaches’, the traditional pick-up joint for those looking for available managers. The attractive pair had money in their pockets and, seemingly, the pick of the various people strutting their stuff on the dancefloor.

The field was open for the two powerhouses from opposite ends of the continent. Even Saudi Arabia, traditionally the nightclub’s best and most frequent customer, was tucked up in bed at home enjoying a good book.

For the two Asian rivals, it was just a question of identifying the target, buying a few drinks and then soon, hopefully, announcing the start of a beautiful relationship.

Iran, ready to spend money to find the right man to restore glory to an underachieving set of stars, was starting to make a few moves. The Korean Football Association (KFA) finally had their shortlist of five foreign candidates and had started to talk.

Then it all changed. Just as the process was starting, there were some new arrivals to the club - ones who are just as well-dressed and just as attractive.

On Friday, the terrible news that Japan coach Ivica Osim had suffered a stroke was announced. Everyone in the game wishes the bristly Bosnian a speedy recovery but in football terms it means that Japan is likely to be on the lookout for a new coach before the start of qualifying for the 2010 World Cup.

Japan may be ill-prepared but a quick grab of the jacket, a short taxi ride and the Japanese national team can be at the bar in a matter of minutes where it is capable of turning heads.

The next day, former South Korean boss Dick Advocaat dropped a bombshell by deciding not to take over the Australian national team. The Dutchman will stay with new Russian champions Zenit St Petersburg despite signing a contract with Football Federation Australia last August.

With less than three months before qualification for South Africa begins, Australia has joined Japan, South Korea and Iran in the hunt for a quarry that is not always easy to find – an experienced, big-name foreigner who is willing to move to not only take a national team to the 2010 World Cup but also leave some kind of legacy.

Those already on the dancefloor may suddenly realise that they have more than one Asian option. Names such as Gerard Houllier, Guido Buchwald and Jacques Santini have already appeared on the supposed shopping lists of more than one of the four federations.

Although the powerful quartet would be fairly confident of surviving the next stage of qualification even without a boss, the sooner a new man is at the helm, the better.

Though the Australians have started late they do have the advantage, as does Iran, that a newcomer appointed fairly quickly will at least be able to watch some domestic league action before the first steps are taken on the road to South Africa. Any incumbent bosses of Korea or Japan will have to wait until after the start of the World Cup qualifiers before there is any chance to run the rule over players from leagues K and J.

Who knows what will happen? Recent events have shown that a week is an awful long time in football but for now, Iran, South Korea, Japan and Australia will have to open their wallets and put on their best moves.

John Duerden
Asia Editor
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