Melbourne Victory and Australia midfielder James Troisi has backed Ange Postecoglou to succeed Heiger Osieck as Socceroos coach.
Despite guiding Australia to next summer’s World Cup finals, Osieck was axed after successive 6-0 friendly defeats to Brazil and France.
In their first game since Osieck, who had been in charge of the Socceroos since August 2010, was sacked, Australia eased to a 3-0 win against Canada at Fulham’s Craven Cottage thanks to goals by Josh Kennedy, Dario Vidosic and Mathew Leckie.
Aurelio Vidmar was in caretaker charge for that match but Victory coach Postecoglou is one of the three front-runners to succeed Osieck, according to the latest news soccer from bet365, along with Tony Popovic and Graham Arnold.
Postecoglou has the support of fans betting on soccer, after winning the A-League title in consecutive seasons with Brisbane Roar, and Troisi, who is on a year-long loan at Melbourne from Atalanta, said: “Obviously I think he’s the right man. Do we want him to go? Yes and no.
“Whatever happens, he’s a great coach and he’s going to be missed if he stays or if he goes. In the back of my mind that’s a reason (playing for Australia) why I came back here but first and foremost it’s about club football and getting on the pitch and playing regularly and doing my thing.”
Troisi, who has played nine games for Australia, scoring against New Zealand in 2011, was on Newcastle United’s books between January 2007 and June 2008, although he failed to make a first-team appearance for the Magpies.
Troisi moved to Turkey in August 2008 when he signed a three-year deal with Genclerbirligi, but just 12 months later he was snapped up by Kayserispor.
After being linked with Norwich City, he signed for Atalanta 14 months ago and has made six appearances for the Italian side.
