Australia has crashed out of the Women's World Cup USA 2003 after losing 1-2 to Ghana in its final Group D match.

Houllier the target to lead Lowy revolution
By Michael Cockerill
October 22, 2003

Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier could be the man to revitalise Australia's development program - but only if he loses his job at Anfield. Houllier, who played an integral role in developing the French program into arguably the best in the world, met Australian Soccer Association officials while the Socceroos were in England early last month to play Jamaica.

It is believed the 56-year-old Frenchman is top of the wish list to become the new national technical director, overseeing youth programs around the country as well as the progress of the national teams. In the wake of the Socceroos' failure in the latest World Cup campaign and poor recent results at youth level, there has been criticism that Australia is no longer producing enough players of international quality.

Houllier - who held a similar role with the French federation from 1986 to 1994 - is seen as the ideal candidate to turn things around. The ASA values not only his expertise in technical areas, but also the stature and profile he has gained since taking over at Liverpool five years ago.

Houllier, whose spell at Anfield has been interrupted by heart problems, is under increasing pressure from fans after the Reds' slow start to the season. Despite recruiting Socceroo Harry Kewell, Liverpool have slumped to 10th place in the Premier League - 12 points behind leaders Arsenal. Following Liverpool's third successive defeat, at Portsmouth last weekend, the British press has started to turn the heat on Houllier, claiming the Anfield board's patience is wearing thin.

The appointment of a new technical director - the ASA has not replaced Les Scheinflug since he left the post two years ago - is regarded as a priority by the new regime led by Frank Lowy. Aware of criticism that the development system has fallen behind and the national teams need a common focus, the ASA has been casting a wide net in search of the right man to take charge of the game's technical direction.

Former AIS head coach Ron Smith - who has been working in Malaysia for the past nine years - was among those being seriously considered, but it is believed the Englishman has accepted an offer to return to club football with Singapore Armed Forces.

Smith has spent the past month working under Houllier at Anfield, using his expertise in video analysis to evaluate the Liverpool players.

The ASA is determined not to rush an appointment it regards as critical, which could explain its patience in waiting for Houllier's future at Anfield to become clearer. Even if Houllier eventually declines a full-time appointment, he may still be willing to help the ASA as a part-time adviser. Significantly, Houllier already has a strong relationship with Socceroos coach Frank Farina, and spent time with the national team while working as a member of FIFA's technical committee during the 2001 Confederations Cup in South Korea.

Meanwhile, the ASA has not given up hope of finding an opponent for the Socceroos during the forthcoming international window. Hopes of playing a match in Australia for the first time in two years have evaporated, but a game in Europe between November 14 and 19 has not been ruled out.


This story was found at: http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/ ... 32456.html