http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,15799475-23215,00.html
French coach to take Roos job
By Peter Badel
July 3, 2005
RESPECTED Frenchman Christian Damiano has emerged as the $400,000 man to succeed departed Socceroos coach Frank Farina and rescue Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign.
The Sunday Telegraph can also reveal a stunning act of betrayal by the Football Federation of Australia.
Despite assurances that Farina's position was not under scrutiny, FFA officials conducted interviews with at least seven foreign-based coaches over the past fortnight.
While Farina was overseeing Australia's Confederations Cup campaign in Germany, the FFA began sifting through the CVs of an assortment of impeccably credentialled coaches.
The hit list was devised by former Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier, who also acts as the Socceroos' chief adviser.
Sources say the secret talks are so advanced that a deal has already been struck.
And it is understood the hot favourite is Damiano, an unknown in Australia but a highly respected tactician who served as Houllier's right-hand man at Liverpool.
Damiano would come at a reasonable price for a foreign coach, with any deal rumoured to be worth an initial $400,000, plus incentives should Australia reach the World Cup.
"The FFA has held interviews for the past two weeks, so that shows Frank's future was sealed before the Confederations Cup," said a well-placed source, who did not wish to be named.
"The FFA has made its decision and it's now a case of finalising the terms of the agreement. I'd be surprised if they went for anyone other than Damiano. "He's very highly rated and will have strong support from Houllier, who drew up the hit list and will have a say in the appointment. Whoever they get will be a well-credentialled person. [Frank] Lowy [FFA chairman] would not allow his name to be associated with anything less."
The FFA also interviewed Roy Hodgson, Jean Tigana, Dick Advocaat, Sir Bobby Robson, Manuel Amoros and Goran Milutinovic - irresistible proof Farina's successor will be a foreigner.
Damiano, 55, boasts an impressive portfolio.
He helped nurture French stars Thierry Henry, Nicolas Anelka and David Trezeguet and was an assistant to Houllier when they led the France under-18 side to victory at the 1996 European Championships.
Damiano later joined Houllier at Liverpool in 2003, before accepting an assistant role alongside Tigana at Fulham.
While Damiano lacks the local profile and marketability of a Terry Venables or Robson, he is fluent in English.
It is also understood any appointment will not be short term, as was first anticipated.
"I'm led to believe it won't be a quick fix," the source said.
"Hodgson, Venables and Robson aren't in the frame any more.
"The FFA will go for the future, not for yesterday's men. Lowy won't be wanting to give someone a retirement package."
FFA officials refused to comment yesterday when contacted by The Sunday Telegraph.
But Farina, whose future has been the subject of intense speculation for the past year, last night admitted he was hardly stunned by FFA moves to replace him.
"Nothing surprises me," Farina said. "In light of recent events, I'm not shocked to hear they may have spoken to others.
"To be honest, I'm over it.
"The reality is they will appoint a foreigner.
"My concern is that an Aussie coach will not be appointed for a long time."
Former Socceroo Robbie Slater said the FFA must appoint a foreign-based coach.
"It's a no-brainer," he said. "The FFA seems hellbent on landing a big name and I think it's the way to go."
The Sunday Telegraph
