Sport: New Guam football coach keen to develop talent

11:40 am on 5 February 2018

The new head coach of the Guam men's football team says he's looking forward to working with players of all ages and developing a strong pathway to the national team.

Karl Dodd [R] played for both the Phoenix and Roar teams during his playing career. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Former Scottish Premier League defender Karl Dodd was appointed Matao boss at the end of December, more than a year after their last competitive fixture.

The 37-year-old Australian, who also played for the Roar, Phoenix and Fury in the A-League, is the first permanent head coach since the departure of Gary White in 2016, while Darren Sawatsky led the team in the East Asian Cup later that same year.

Karl Dodd spent a season in charge of the Western Pride in Queensland's National Premier League in 2014/15 and is a former the High Performance Manager for the Brisbane Roar.

He said the chance to develop a full program, that creates a production line of players for the Guam national team was a big drawcard.

"It's the whole program that we're overseeing, which is good because if I'm just coaching the men's national team there's not that many games in the year and I need to be kept busy," he said.

"So we have the Asian Football Confederation qualifiers as well with the Under 23s coming up next year for the Olympics and then the junior age groups as well.

"So I guess the thing that really enticed me was the fact you get to to oversee the whole program and get it up to the level that I would like it to be at."

New Guam football coach Karl Dodd passes the ball as David Beckham watches on during a match between Wellington Phoenix and LA Galaxy in 2007. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Despite a career in central defence, Dodd said he likes his teams to play positively and to use the ball.

"I like to be facilitative, I think the players have got to drive it. Yes I set the framework and give the intent but they're the ones on the field making the decisions so it's up to me to make them the decision-makers and problem-solvers.

"In terms of playing style definitely on the front foot - I don't like taking a backwards step.

"We get out there and play intelligent football and try and score as many goals as we can, and being an ex-defender I don't like conceding so that's a given."

Dodd's first major assignment will be Round One of the East Asian Cup.

He said the dates have yet to be confirmed but the tournament is expected to take place before the FIFA World Cup or immediately after.

"We want at least two friendlies before each tournament and to have a camp in the US, where a lot of the players are based as well, to have a look at the US-based players and get them up to par as well."

Karl Dodd said he had spoken to some local members of the Matao team and will touch base with overseas based players in the near future.