New Socceroos boss finds assistant

SYDNEY: One of Sir Alex Ferguson’s closest assistants has been hired to help new Socceroos coach Graham Arnold defend Australia’s title at January’s Asian Cup and build towards the next World Cup.

Dutchman Rene Meulensteen, the former Fulham manager, will be based in Europe as assistant coach and take responsibility for players plying their trade there, Football Federation Australia said Thursday. Meulensteen was Ferguson’s technical coach then assistant manager at Manchester United for nearly 400 games, helping them secure three Premier League titles and a Champions League crown.

He has also managed teams in Qatar, Denmark, Russia, Israel, and India and now hooks up with Arnold, who has taken over after Bert van Marwijk’s temporary role as coach during the World Cup in Russia.

“We are entering another important period of our game with the Asian Cup just over four months away,” said Arnold in his first media conference since assuming his new job. “Our new management team will play a vital role in ensuring we are best prepared to defend our Asian title and develop players for the future.