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Postecoglou to Step down after World Cup
Ante Postecoglou has confirmed that he intends to step down from his role as the national team manager of Australia after the end of the World Cup 2018.
The former Brisbane Roar, South Melbourne, and Melbourne Victory manager says that he will be seeking a new challenge in order to test him at the top level, with speculation being that he'll be in the English Premier League before too long - and some fans already committing on twitter to buying tickets through this link for whichever team he ends up at!
Widely regarded as one of the best coaches in Australia, the departure of the 51-year-old will leave a significant vacancy in the national team. He has been in charge of the Australian national team since October 2013. Even then, the national team were unable to replicate the successes achieved under Guus Hiddink.
The announcement from the coach comes at a crucial time. Australia have been struggling for form in the last few weeks. They have managed just one win in the last five matches. Even though they have not suffered a defeat in these five matches, it is still disappointing form for the national team.
As a result, Australia are facing an uncertain into the World Cup 2018 qualification group. The team are third in the table and there is a need to make up at least three points in order to catch Japan and Saudi Arabia, who occupy the top two places. Only the top two places will qualify for the World Cup automatically, while the third placed team has to go through a play-off.
Ange Postecoglou oversaw a disappointing World Cup 2014 after the team exited the competition with three defeats from the three group matches.
It has been reported for the last few months that Postecoglou has been talking with a lot of representatives from the Chinese super league clubs, who are ready to take the manager on a fat contract. After having been in charge of Australia for almost five years, Postecoglou may very well be ready to take up this new challenge.