Farina quits as Australia coach

Frank Farina has left his post as coach of Australia's national football team.
The move came days after the country's disastrous Confederations Cup campaign, where the team lost all three matches.

Football Federation Australia said a mutual agreement had been reached with the 40-year-old to end his contract after six years in charge.

"Frank Farina has been a dedicated coach over the past six years who has given his all for Australian football," said FFA chairman Frank Lowy.

"However, it is important to now move on and focus on the World Cup campaign; our responsibility is to do everything possible to ensure that Australia will be competing in Germany in 2006," he added.

Farina said he had moved on to help Australia's chances of qualifying for next year's World Cup.

"Ever-increasing speculation on my position is not something that I want to see affect the performance of the team and the potential for that happening has led to this announcement," Farina said in a statement.

"We have the players and the backing to get us to the World Cup and no single element of our approach should be allowed to undermine that."

The FFA has appointed National Technical Manager Ron Smith to replace Farina on a temporary basis as the authorities search for a replacement.

Ex-England coach Terry Venables - who Farina replaced as Australia's national coach in 1999 - is among those in the frame.

Australia lost 4-3 to Confederations Cup hosts Germany, 4-2 to Argentina and 2-0 to Tunisia in this month's competition.

Both Tunisian goals were blamed on sloppy defence by Australia, leading to tough criticism of Farina's leadership.