Football Federation Australia (FFA) is pleased to announce that highly regarded goalkeeper coach John Crawley has joined the Caltex Socceroos coaching staff on a permanent basis through to the end of Australia’s 2022 FIFA World Cup campaign.
Crawley, who has enjoyed long periods of success coaching some of Australia’s top custodians at Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners in the Hyundai A-League, will now move into a position that will see him mentor Australia’s senior men’s national team shot-stoppers.
Crawley joined the Caltex Socceroos on a preliminary basis for the team’s most recent camp in Busan, Korea Republic, and has now been installed permanently.
WATCH: Behind the scenes as debutants receive their Caltex Socceroos jerseys
RELIVE: Korea Republic v Australia, as it happened
REPORT: Korea Republic edge Caltex Socceroos in Busan
The former Colo-Colo player said that it is an honour for him to be shifting to Australia’s national team set-up after 14 successful seasons involved with Hyundai A-League clubs.
“I enjoyed my time with Sydney FC and before that Central Coast Mariners, but the timing feels right to step away from club football and work in a new environment,” Crawley said.
“Travelling with the Socceroos to the most recent camp in Korea Republic was a fantastic experience, and it was great to work with both Andrew (Redmayne) and Lawrence (Thomas).
“We have some very high level goalkeepers including Mat (Ryan), Danny (Vukovic) and Mitch (Langerak) playing abroad, and my focus during my time with the national team will be to help them advance their game as well as help to develop the pool of talent able to represent Australia on the international stage.”
Caltex Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold said that Crawley will be a great addition to Australia’s coaching staff.
“John Crawley’s reputation in honing top class Australian goalkeepers is second to none,” Arnold said. “I’m delighted to welcome John, who I worked with at both Central Coast and Sydney FC, to our staff, and know that he will make a great contribution to the Socceroos over the coming years.”
“John’s work ethic and passion for developing Australian goalkeepers made him an outstanding candidate for the role, and I know the goalkeepers currently associated with the Socceroos are pleased with his appointment,” he said.
BEHICH: 'There's exciting times ahead'
