The last long-term Australian coach of the Socceroos has urged FFA to give new boss Ange Postecoglou time to put his stamp on the national team.
The last long-term Australian coach of the Socceroos has urged Football Federation Australia to release the pressure valve and give new boss Ange Postecoglou time to put his stamp on the national team.
Now Sydney FC coach Frank Farina, who was in charge of the Socceroos between 1999 and 2005, has fully endorsed Postecoglou's appointment and believes he is the right man to lead Australia out of the doldrums.
Farina said he spoke with Postecoglou before his appointment and stressed the importance of surrounding himself with the right back-up staff to make the job a success.
The former Brisbane and Melbourne Victory coach has a five-year contract and Farina hopes the new man is given time to get things right.
"I'll think he'll do a good job as long as he sets his house up the way he wants it," Farina said on Thursday.
"I think the FFA will let him do that."
"He's got time. I don-t think there's any pressure on him for World Cup and there shouldn't be.
"I think the Asian Cup will be the goal. The World Cup will be a great experience and preparation for (Postecoglou's) side and for him to put his stamp on it."
Postecoglou's first job will be to restore the Socceroos' confidence and team morale after two recent heavy friendly defeats against Brazil and France.
Asked what advice he would give Postecoglou going into the role, Farina said: "He's his own man but I did have a brief exchange with him (recently) about bringing your own people in.
"He's not silly and he's probably already planning to do that.
"You've got to surround yourself with people you can trust and that are basically working on the same page as you."
Postecoglou will take charge of his final game as Victory boss on Friday night when they host his former club Brisbane at Etihad Stadium.
His first game as manager of the Socceroos is a friendly against Costa Rica at Allianz Stadium next month.