Don't you just hate the Herald Sun when it comes to football...

[Simon]

The Herald Sun on Frank Farina's reign: "Tumultuous"

Another quote: "The FFA was in damage control"

The Socceroos World Cup preperations have hit "rock bottom"

We were "humbled" by Tunisia (the African champions)

Aparently Farina had a "go-it-alone approach". How about Graham Arnold?

[Dermot]

I’d agree with 2 of those comments

If you really want to get fired up about the disgraceful reporting of FF’s departure check out these two marvels in the Australian from Ray Gatt


News piece

Frank words and Farina walks away
Ray Gatt and Peter Kogoy
June 30, 2005
NOT for the first time in its tumultuous history, Australian soccer is in turmoil after the resignation of national coach Frank Farina amid talk of tensions between chief executive John O'Neill and chairman Frank Lowy.

Just four months before the biggest game in the Socceroos' history, Farina walked away from the position after a brief meeting with Football Federation Australia officials in Sydney yesterday.

O'Neill said the board had make a quick decision on Farina's future.

"There was not a great deal of debate on the decision he (Farina) and I reached," O'Neill said. "This was not a resignation, we simply brought forward the termination day of his contract."

Lowy said: "Ideally, I would have liked Farina to have departed sooner. If the change, if any, would have happened 12 months ago I think we would have been better off.

"But given the history of football, things happen when they happen. It's happened now and it should not diminish our opportunity to go to Germany."

Farina has coached the Socceroos for six years. He has been replaced on an interim basis by national technical manager Ron Smith.

Last night O'Neill denied suggestions that he would follow Farina and resign.

"There is no substance to those rumours whatsoever and I don't know where they are coming from," O'Neill said. "It's a very hard job and extremely challenging but I am committed to seeing out the remainder of my contract, which has about another 18 months still to run."

The former CEO of the Australian Rugby Union, O'Neill - who is understood to be on a $1.1 million, three-year contract with the FFA - is believed to have had a falling out with Lowy after several clashes over issues relating to the running of the organisation and the soon-to-be launched A-League.

Farina has had an uneasy relationship with O'Neill since he joined the FFA as chief executive in February 2004.

It reached a head in May when O'Neill called for Farina to seek anger management counselling following the coach's run-in with SBS television reporter Andrew Orsatti after a match with Iraq in Sydney.

O'Neill said the FFA's "abiding obsession is qualification" for next year's World Cup finals in Germany.

Farina's national coaching record includes beating England in a friendly 3-1 in 2003 and guiding the Socceroos to third in the Confederations Cup in 2001.

Farina said he did not want uncertainty about his role to affect the team.

"Ever-increasing speculation on my position is not something that I want to see affect the performance of the team and the potential for that happening has led to this announcement," he said in a statement. "We have the players and the backing to get us to the World Cup and no single element of our approach should be allowed to undermine that."

Lowy, speaking via a video link from Frankfurt, Germany where he's pushing FIFA for the Socceroos' inclusion into the Asian Football Confederation, paid tribute to Farina.

"Frank Farina has been a dedicated coach over the past six years who has given his all for Australian football and we wish him well with his future endeavours," Lowy said.

"From the board's point of view, we obviously think this decision is the right one. However it is important to now move on and focus on the (World Cup) campaign. We have said that we would be leaving no stone unturned to qualify."

Lowy said there was no fixed deadline to appoint a coach.

"We will consider all options, the only criteria will be what (sic) puts us in the best position for the World Cup campaign," he said.

When Lowy was asked if Englishman Terry Venables, who was in charge of the Socceroos' failed bid for the 1998 World Cup in France, was a candidate, he said: "No he's not."

Farina's decision to quit comes as no surprise, as he has had to contend with constant criticism of his coaching style and perceived lack of tactical skill over the past 18 months.

Farina publicly feared for his job before the recent Confederations Cup finals in Germany, claiming he would not be surprised if he was sacked if he did not produce results.

The Socceroos performed exceptionally well in losing 4-3 to European heavyweights Germany and and 3-2 to South American giants Argentina before losing 2-0 to Tunisia when Farina used a largely experimental side.

Farina could not be contacted last night, but The Australian understands the controversy and constant criticism over the past eight months have taken a heavy toll of his health.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Editorial

Farina victim of vitriolic campaign
Comment by Ray Gatt
June 30, 2005

WHAT a sad indictment of Australian football.

Just when we thought the game could not sink any lower comes the debacle surrounding the resignation of national coach Frank Farina.

After months of torment, almost unbearable pressure and a vicious campaign by one section of the media, it became all too much for him.

Farina walked away from the game that has been his life.

The surprise is he didn't crack earlier under the weight of vitriol and poison that the game in this country is renowned for.

Make no mistake, Farina did not deserve to go. Despite what others would have you believe, he was good for the Socceroos and good for the image of a sport that is badly in need of some charisma and, more importantly, credibility.

Farina had his faults, but they were outweighed by his good points - good points that endeared him to the majority of his players, who will no doubt feel his loss.

So, where to now?

The Socceroos are just four months from an expected World Cup qualifier against the fifth-placed South American side. Time is short to find a replacement coach. Even if the FFA finds one in the next week, the fear is it will be far too late to rescue the Socceroos' campaign.


Even the appointment of a world-class coach is no guarantee of success for the national team.
Certainly the FFA is taking a huge risk and if the Socceroos again fall at the final hurdle, the governing body will have egg on its face.

At least Farina can walk way with his dignity intact and his head held high.

You can't say the same about the people who hounded him out of the game.

[gweeds]

We all know that Gatt was a supporter the 'old regime' (Labozzetta and Co.) and has always been against the new FFA. And remember that Farina was the last remnant of that regime.

Most fans regard his comments as a joke. He's only employed in the Murdoch Press because he runs anti-football articles for them.

[Simon]

The thing that pi5ses me off is that people believe that crap.

[Dermot]

I know Gweeds, but wasn’t his opening line, of what was supposed to be the news article, an absolute cracker, even by his lofty standards?

“Not for the first time in its tumultuous history, Australian soccer is in turmoil after the resignation of national coach Frank Farina amid talk of tensions between chief executive John O'Neill and chairman Frank Lowy.”

Comprising of complete and utter rubbish (turmoil? On the day we have been officially accepting into the AFC), followed by baseless rumour mongering.

[Victory4sure]

Ray Gatt's editorial is all dribble. Change the names and a few words and that very same article could be written about any coach that has lost his job. Try it.

No credibility.

[Vinnie Lia]

1. they barely say anything about football in either of the papers
2. when they do it is all negative

[obrien]

The only good point made in the article is:
"a vicious campaign by one section of the media"

The SBS commentators were shocking when it came to Frank.
They have alot to answer for.

Where is supporting the game?

[Simon]

The only good point made in the article is:
"a vicious campaign by one section of the media"

The SBS commentators were shocking when it came to Frank.
They have alot to answer for.

Where is supporting the game?
I agree.

Their website and TV programs have been very anti-Farina.

They're still legends, though.

[obrien]

What is with them and Australia playing a bloomin sweeper system.

Every time they talk to Craig Foster he is trying to say Frank has no idea and should play a sweeper system.

THe funniest was when they had some visitor on and Foster asked him about Aus playing a sweeper system and the guest pointed out that no major National team plays with a sweeper system.

[lankks]

" It reached a head in May when O'Neill called for Farina to seek anger management counselling following the coach's run-in with SBS television reporter Andrew Orsatti after a match with Iraq in Sydney. "

Hey I would crack it too after a 6 year losing streak. Andrew Orsatti is an easy target as well, with those massive eyebrows of his.

[Simon]

" It reached a head in May when O'Neill called for Farina to seek anger management counselling following the coach's run-in with SBS television reporter Andrew Orsatti after a match with Iraq in Sydney. "

Hey I would crack it too after a 6 year losing streak. Andrew Orsatti is an easy target as well, with those massive eyebrows of his.
What the hell are you on about :confused:

I sense more talking crap.

[lankks]

Simon what the hell are you on about.

[Simon]

Simon what the hell are you on about.
What do you mean by "six year losing streak"?

[lankks]

Well Australia didn't really win anything during the 6 years he was in charge, so if you don't win anything, that makes you a loser.

[Simon]

Well Australia didn't really win anything during the 6 years he was in charge, so if you don't win anything, that makes you a loser.
But a "losing streak" generally means that you're on a streak of losing matches.

If we use your definition of "losing streak" only about fifteen counties at most aren't on a six year losing streak.

[STampSY]

We won 12 games in a row remember :p
Mite wanna re think ur def. of "losing streak" mate

[dAn]

dont you just hate Fooster

[STampSY]

Fooster? :confused:

[Vinnie Lia]

dont you just hate Fooster
he is a bit of an angry character, gotta love awaratifie

[STampSY]

Oh do u meen Craig? Francis is pretty good but he is no Simon Hill :)

[Vinnie Lia]

yeh craig foster

[Victory4sure]

We won 12 games in a row remember :p
Mite wanna re think ur def. of "losing streak" mate
Actually went 12 games in a row without losing. Won 9 drew 3. Nothing to brag about when you see who they beat.

[STampSY]

Certainly not braging. Just letting Lankitis in on som info. I also ment to say 12 games without losing.

[SMan]

I hate the majority of the sport media, they are very narrow minded. God Bless SBS.