"The Socceroos belong to the people of this nation," said Postecoglou.

"It's my job to make sure we represent all that's good in Australian football.

"We need to strive for greatness, to play with spirit and have an unwavering belief in our mission.

"I was proud to represent my country as a player and I have the same immense feeling of pride today.

"I thank Frank Lowy, David Gallop and the FFA for having the faith in my ability to do this job successfully."

Postecoglou comes into the job off the back of a highly successful coaching career at club level, which saw him win championships at the South Melbourne Hellas and Brisbane Roar, before signing with Melbourne Victory in 2012.

Postecoglou led Brisbane Roar to victory in the 2012 A-League Grand Final

There was some controversy surrounding his appointment to national head coach with some at Melbourne Victory criticising the FFA for tapping up their coach and failing to pay any compensation in the process.

Chief executive of the FFA, David Gallop, has thanked Victory for releasing Postecoglou from his contract at the Hyundai A-Level Club, however.

"The nation came calling for Ange and that left the Melbourne Victory Chairman Anthony Di Pietro and his Board of Directors with a decision to make," said Gallop.

"Victory has done the right thing by Australian football and the club is to be commended."

Gallop has also said today that the appointment of Postecoglou was symbolic of how far the game has come in the past decade under the leadership of Frank Lowy and his Board.

"I'm delighted that the game has reached the point where the best-qualified coach for the Socceroos happens to be someone who's learned his football in this country and who lives and breathes the mission of Australian football," he said.

"It shows how the era of full-time professionalism in the Hyundai A-League and qualification for three consecutive FIFA World Cups is driving technical excellence.

"In Ange, the Socceroos will have a Head Coach who has exceptional experience and achievements on the domestic and international stage.

"In any recruitment situation you consider the overall package that the person brings to the role.

"We wanted the best person for the job of coaching the Socceroos to highest possible standards.

"It's also very significant that Ange has a deep understanding of the culture and passion of Australian football. He's a leader in every sense.

"The FFA Board have moved quickly on the preferred candidate and with the upcoming camp and match in November it was prudent to secure Ange's services this week."

Postecoglou takes over from former manager Holger Osieck, who was sacked on October 12 by the FFA following two successive 6-0 defeats by Brazil and France.

Fomer boss Holger Osieck was sacked by the FFA following heavy defeats by Brazil and France



He will become the first Australian to lead the Socceroos into a World Cup since Rale Rasic took the national side to their first World Cup in 1974.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy said he was pleased that his long-held ambition to appoint an Australian as coach of the Socceroos had been realised.

"It was always our plan that one day an Australian would be appointed coach, and I said precisely that when we appointed the previous coach," said Lowy.

"But I have never taken the view that the coach should be an Australian for the sake of having an Australian.

"I have always believed we should get the best person we can for the job.

"The fact that Ange is the best qualified, and an Australian, achieves our objective."

Postecoglou will officially start in his new role on Monday 28 October with his first match in charge against Costa Rica in an international friendly at the Allianz Stadium, Sydney, on November 19.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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