Ange is a self-aggrandizing wanker and a coward. If he'd at least confirmed the rumours at the time and clearly explained his reasoning, he would have received the benefit of doubt and sympathy from the football community. Instead, he leaks he's leaving, makes the last couple of months all about himself while refusing to answer any questions on his future, and then leaves the socceroos in a lurch without giving any reasons other than some waffling nonsense about his sons. What an asshole. 

Agree with about the first four sentences.

Most of us reading this have no idea about the off field pressures of coaching the Socceroos though.

Ange is the first home grown Aussie to do this over an extended period with the game having  a much bigger profile and generating more media interest. Ange also talked about the stress on his family. He could possibly have health issues too. His doctor may have advised him to give up a stressful job.

Of course he doesn't owe me anything individually, but the international job is different to any club job in the world. When you take on the responsibility of coaching a country, especially one such as ours with a fragile footballing landscape, you hold the weight of the clubs, players and league on your shoulders. He risked it all by playing a controversial formation and sticking to certain players, I thought this was for the greater good so that we would deliver a better performance at the WC. But by leaving at this time he has really screwed over whoever takes the job next, and risked us failing to qualify for the World Cup for nothing. It was also clear that the players had no idea, so he has also betrayed the trust of his players. He doesn't owe anything to me an individual, but as a member of the Australian football community he owed it to the country to not risk the fragile climate of our sport.

I agree with what you are saying for sure but I don't think FFA have enough "cash" to work with. 

The Roos have now developed the 3 @ the back defence, will it be changed back to 4 @ the back? I wonder how the new coach will see this.

Sad

My problem with this is he spent so much time and energy getting the team to play the high pressing game and now some other coach has 1 window in march and then 2 weeks in July learn a new strategy.
I hope whoever it is doesn't  change it too much 

Health might be an issue.

This is astonishing.

I'm not sure if this has ever happened in world football before. I've never heard of a coach who has qualified for the World Cup walking away from the big job.

Agree.

It used to be the senior FFA TD.

Han Berger was the last senior FFA TD.

Now Erik Abrams is FFA TD for up to 16 year olds. Luke Casserley has an overview. Neither are senior FFA TDs.

It is important that the new coach is appointed by people who are familiar and experienced with professional football methodology. Gallop and Lowy know nothing about it.

A sad day for the Socceroos and Oz football in general.

What was his motive for leaving prior to a world cup next year? Who knows there is something not up to leave a post before completing his job. 

Thanks for the great work Ange, he's laid a great platform for the next coach to work with. 

I thought milicic got the olyroos gig? Ante would be the closest continuation to Ange but they won't go for that, it's pretty much Arnies if they go local, Ante and Ange appeared to be very close.

Just caught the full press conference, Ange looks like he has aged 5 years in the past 12 months, almost looks a bit unwell.

With all the crap he's had to put up with I'm not surprised. Sad news, he's basically done a Gombau.
I'd be installing Milicic but is it true he's gone too??

Sorry that was meant for Milan_7

After all he has done and achieved for Australian football he doesn’t owe you anything.

A completely inexplicable decision.  Is this guy insane or what?? 

Sad. Hope we get a good replacement.

bizarre decision

can't be called selfish really since the most selfish thing would be to coach at the world cup

can't be called selfless either since the most selfless thing to do would be to coach at the world cup

insane is probably the word

in any case if we have a decent coach there is usually a short term boost in performance

It would be hard to teach finishing at this age. But if you had a coach that improved defensive structure but had them do the same possession based style in attack that would be optimal. You shouldn't lose much cohesian in 6 months focusing on defensive structure but could make a massive difference in defence

But he signed a 4 year term and had his own targets when taking on the head coach role. When you're in a leadership position (and getting paid quite well for it), its not just about you anymore, its the team, all the staff involved, the effort everyone has put in so far, the hopes and dreams of a nation. Football is much more than just entertainment.
He knew this before taking on the role at Brisbane, Melbourne, and Australia. You think Trump and Turnball will quit because of public pressure, because their leadership role is damaging their family?
How would he cope with club football when he has to be away from his family every 2nd week?  Bailing out and leaving the national team in limbo because of any personal vendetta against your employers....   not good.

To look on the bright side of all this....   at least we'll get a new coach in who will have ample time to prep the boys and take us to defend the Asian Cup in 2019.

If you have a look at any league in the world from the u5s to the over 50s, somebody is always the best team, best payer or best coach

What puts meaning behind the stats is context and quality

The A League is an easy league. Particularly as it effectively has relegation from the top. What Arnie achieved last year has been done by Brisbane and arguably Melbourne. It doesn't make them worthwhile contenders for the top spot, particularly as both coaches already had a stint with a national team and both coaches were slammed for it

If it were me I'd overlook the A League when picking the next coach.

pretty sure this will be in the mind of whoever chooses these coaches ......anyone know who does ? 
Be scary to think it was Gallop or Lowy..
Surely some sort of football experts advise them ? (you would hope)

I honestly think we need to appoint someone who can motivate the players quickly and get the best out of them tactically like hiddink did. Give them a short term contract for the cup and begin identifying candidates to take us into the next 4 year cycle

Some of the reaction to this is pretty sad. The same people who wanted him sacked are now saying him leaving is unforgivable and unaustralian. The lives of his family and himself are far more important than kicking a ball around for entertainment.

Selfish bastard, thanks for the memories but abandoning the country in the way he has done is unforgivable IMO. 

So does that mean Arnie is looking like the number 1 contender to replace him?

That's when he should've gone

New Manager would've had 4 competitive games with squad

Ange to coach NZ!.

Ange to Melb City is teh rumour. Joyce out.

hes trolled the whole of australia

Look there isnt any excuse for not Auto-qualifying for the world cup but he did get us there in the end.

Credit to him won the Asian cup no one can take that away from him

Though we played competitively in the Confederation cup 2017 and WC 2014 we still failed to win a game which in reality is the true test on a big stage and he failed there regardless of opponents. - Might be a bit harsh but it is a results game  

I'd say we need a change but after the WC because a new manager new philosophy and new ideas etc is not ideal 10 months before the world cup. 

Wish him the best 

Wont lie im a little shocked