Reappointed Berger rues slow progress

Han Berger says he is dissatisfied with his progress after being reappointed as Football Federation Australia’s national technical director.

Berger is set to remain as technical director until July 2014 after FFA CEO David Gallop announced the extension of his contract on Wedesday.

The 62-year-old Dutchman was given the FFA’s head technical role in January 2009 and introduced his national football curriculum four months later but remains convinced Australia has a long way to go in its football development.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to continue my work with FFA which has given me great satisfaction and enjoyment over the last four years,” Berger said.

“I am not at all satisfied that we have gone as far as we can go in lifting the quality of our football, our players and our coaches, and getting the message out across Australia and I am pleased to have an extended term to do this.

“In particular I want to see the benefit of the improved coaching education programs and programs for talented players come to fruition with better results for our national youth teams, and eventually with the Qantas Socceroos and Westfield Matildas.”

Berger slammed Australia’s youth development in July, claiming some coaches do not understand his curriculum, while others have ignored his recommendations.

But despite the frustration, Berger is looking forward to ‘the next steps’ in his project, while Gallop claimed the Dutchman’s work has clearly improved Australian football.

“It is clear that the technical side of football development has advanced significantly during the four years that Han has been on board with FFA,” Gallop said.

“Han produced the first ever national curriculum and has been responsible for its implementation which has seen great advancements in coach and player education.

“He has set up an impressive network throughout Australia to do this, with great effect.

“Han is currently working on a second, expanded version of the Curriculum which will be launched early next year.

“It will consolidate the implementation of the technical improvements that he has introduced.”

Berger’s position is for only eight months per year as he will spend the other four with his family in the Netherlands during periods of limited football activity in Australia.