Aussies move on from Osieck

Holger Osieck’s contract as Australia coach has been terminated after the Socceroos suffered successive 6-0 defeats to Brazil and France. Former Germany assistant coach Osieck has been in charge since 2010 and was at the helm as the Socceroos qualified for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ despite some hiccups along the way. However, Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chairman Frank Lowy said the long-term interests of Australian football were paramount in making the change. “The decision is based on the longer term issues of the rejuvenation of the Socceroos team and the preparations for the World Cup and the Asian Cup,” said Lowy. “FFA has set a strategic objective of having a highly competitive team in Brazil and then handing over a team capable of winning the Asian Cup on home soil in January 2015. “We have come to the conclusion that change is necessary to meet those objectives. Assistant coach Aurelio Vidmar will be in charge as caretaker for the Socceroos' international against Canada in London on Tuesday. Source: fifa.com