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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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