Australia sack coach Holger Osieck after 6-0 defeat to France

The Australian football national team coach Holger Osieck has been sacked after his team lost 6-0 to France in the World Cup qualifiers last night.

Osieck was informed of the decision by Football Federation Australia (FFA) shortly after the heavy defeat.

FFA chairman Frank Lowy said: “The decision is based on the longer term issues of the rejuvenation of the Socceroos team and the preparations for the World Cup and the Asian Cup.

“FFA has set a strategic objective of having a highly competitive team in Brazil and then handing over a team capable of winning the Asian Cup on home soil in January 2015.

“We have come to the conclusion that change is necessary to meet those objectives.

“I thank Holger for his contribution to Australian football and wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Australia have already booked their place at next year’s World Cup finals, but Osieck’s tactics were under scrutiny after a nervous qualification campaign.

The Socceroos lost to Brazil by the same scoreline, and last night probably proved to be the final straw in the act for the FFA.

“That’s not my call,” he told Fox Sport Australia.

“Two heavy losses of that extent gives some food for discussion (about my job).

“The merits of the past are forgotten when this happens.”

Socceroos midfielder, Tim Cahill, tweeted the following post the game -

Want 2 say Thankyou to Holger for getting us to our 3rd WORLD CUP. Is this a first get us to WC and get the sack. Sad day for Football in oz

— Tim Cahill (@Tim_Cahill) October 11, 2013