Soceroos Coach Pim Verbeek has given Perth’s prospects the thumbs up and has put his support behind Coach Dave Mitchell as the man to guide the West Australian side to future glory.
Socceroos Coach Pim Verbeek has given Perth-s prospects the thumbs up and has put his support behind Coach Dave Mitchell as the man to guide the West Australian side to future glory.
Verbeek was at Members Equity Stadium to see Perth-s 1-nil win against Wellington on Sunday and spent the early part of this week meeting with Mitchell, club owners and officials.
He was enthusiastic about the club-s set-up and believes it is an ideal environment for players wanting to achieve national team status.
“For me as the National Team Coach it is very important that the younger players play and Dave (Mitchell) always gives them the possibility to perform and show themselves,” Verbeek said.
“Young players can learn a lot by playing games and having a coach who knows what he is talking about. I think at Perth you can see the progression Nikita (Rukavytsya) has made and also Nikolai (Topor-Stanley) and can say that they do well at a club like Perth,” said Verbeek.
Glory-s three Olyroos representatives in Beijing was the most of any Hyundai A-League club and the WA side continues to promote young talent alongside experienced players to form a competitive outfit.
The Socceroos boss also dismissed suggestions that players in the West aren-t afforded the same opportunities to impress for national selection and said he kept a close eye on players throughout Australia and overseas.
“I might not always be in Perth but I see them around the country so it doesn-t have any disadvantage if you-re a Perth Glory player,” he said.
“I-ll pick-up the best players, that-s my job, the only thing the players have to do is show me they are better than the players I-ve selected before, that-s the challenge I think for every footballer.”
Mitchell and Verbeek first crossed paths as players in the Dutch first division some 20 years ago and both made the transition into coaching following the conclusion of their playing days.
While Mitchell said he didn-t make a point of Verbeek-s presence at Members Equity Stadium during a pre-match address, he admits it was a boost to have the Socceroos mentor in the stands.
“Players want to play for their pride but it-s always nice for the national coach to come and watch Perth players play at home,” Mitchell said.
“I think it-s important for someone of his stature, particularly being the national coach and doing well, to come to Perth to watch us play is a bit of a shot in the arm for us,” Mitchell added.
Verbeek is confident that Mitchell can continue mould Perth Glory into a successful outfit and can see the fruits of his labour are already starting to show positive returns.
“He knows what it is to build up a club and be successful,” Verbeek said.
“I think it is always good to have a manager or coach that can give both the young players and experienced players the possibilities about how you have to be a better player through training and of course the mental part.
“I think he is doing a great job at Perth Glory,” Verbeek said.
