Wednesday 9 June 2010

Pierre Littbarski declares his desire to takeover from Pim Verbeek


World Cup winner Pierre Littbarski fears Germany will be at its most vulnerable against a Socceroos side set to revel in their underdog status in Monday's group D showdown in Durban.
The Berlin-born former midfield general who played in two World Cup deciders, including the then West Germany's 1-0 final win over Argentina in 1990, rates Australia as his nation's hardest group opponents from Ghana and Serbia.
Littbarski, 50, admits to having a soft spot for Australia, having coached Sydney FC to the inaugural A-League crown in the 2005-06 season.
"Physically they can cope with the Germans, so that will be for us the most difficult game in the first round, when you're not yet in a rhythm," Littbarski said from Switzerland. "It will be a very good test of German strength.
"If you play high-speed football and pressure a team, Ghana and Serbia will fall apart, but Australia won't."
Littbarski revealed he would like to become Australia's coach as Pim Verbeek's contract ends after the World Cup.
Without a job after being sacked by Liechtenstein-based Swiss second division club FC Vaduz, German legend Littbarski appears long odds to have a genuine shot at coaching Australia.
"I'm absolutely interested in the Socceroos job," he said.
"Because I know the coach (Verbeek) is finishing, it's very enticing for me, but it depends what the federation (Football Federation Australia) thinks."
Littbarski dismissed Australia's 3-1 loss to the United States at Roodepoort Athletics Stadium on Saturday, saying warm-up matches counted for little.
"I don't give much thought to these games . . . some teams are still training hard and they're trying different things out," he said.
But if there is a weakness in Australia, according to Littbarski, it is their pace at the back, which could play into hands of German midfield prodigy Mesut Ozil.

Mona says:
Well it is going to be an interesting game as I think if Australia gets a good result (and that would include a draw) then they will have confidence going into the next games. The major stumbling block as far as I can see is that Verbeek seems to always play for a draw!
I also think that Littbarski could be a good choice as the 'Socceroos' coach as he knows the Australian
A-League. If Australia do well in this World Cup it will only help soccer in this country as was shown by events four years ago...

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