Batistuta keen to coach Socceroos (25 Nov 2007 10:24 GMT)
Argentine soccer legend Gabriel Batistuta has thrown his hat in the Socceroos coaching ring.
Batistuta has been keeping a low profile in Perth for almost two years, but has recently indicated to several sources that he would be prepared to accept the Australian job, if offered to him.
Former Socceroos winger Stan Lazaridis said Football Federation Australia would be crazy not to consider him.
Batistuta, 38, has completed his coaching badges in Argentina.
"If you are after a big name, well Gabriel Batistuta is sitting on our doorstep," Lazaridis said. "We missed out on Dick Advocaat and there are huge problems because the guys we are chasing want a fortune and are not prepared to relocate to Australia. This guy is semi-retired in Perth and he ticks a lot of boxes. I'm not saying it's the first option, but it's one that certainly should be considered for all the plus factors.
"I'm sure he has seen every single A-League player, he has played against a lot of the current Socceroos and he saw Guus Hiddink's squad at the World Cup. He should be put to the FFA board and through the judging process."
While Batistuta has not coached, there is a groundswell of support from within the Australian soccer community for a rookie appointment.
This comes in the wake of recent success stories, such as Juergen Klinsmann (Germany), Dunga (Brazil) and Slaven Bilic (Croatia).
Batistuta's illustrious 17-year playing career ended in 2005. He is Argentina's most prolific scorer and has recently been linked with their national team job.
source : Herald Sun