[AUSTRALIA] Only 24 hours before Australia's first game since the 2010 World Cup, it confirmed Holger Osieck as its new head coach. The 61-year-old German is best known for leading Canada to its greatest triumph, the 2000 Gold Cup title.

Osieck joined the Socceroos in Ljubljana, where they played Slovenia on Wednesday.

He broke into coaching with the NASL Vancouver Whitecaps in 1977 and has traveled the world. He was an assistant under Franz Beckenbauer during his stints with the West German national team and at Marseille.

Osieck has coached clubs in Germany, Turkey and Japan.

Beckenbauer, who is close with Football Federation Australia boss Frank Lowy, recommended Osieck for the Socceroo job.