ANGE Postecoglou says he’ll always be an outsider in Australian football despite winning the Socceroos qualification to the World Cup finals after a tortuous 22 game campaign.

But a bristling, defiant Postecoglou once again refused to confirm that he would be in charge of the team in Russia next year, saying he would take days to consider the options.

Postecoglou described World Cup qualification as the hardest thing he’s ever done, but left the country hanging as far as the finals are concerned.

Postecoglou said he wanted to spend a couple of days reflecting on the victory over Honduras and enjoy the moment with his wife and children.

He dead batted questions about his future, having failed to deny reports that he was considering quitting before the finals mid 2018.

Postecoglou was also bristled at suggestions that the success was an answer to his media critics.

Australia won their qualifier 3-1 after a goalless first leg.

“It’s pretty overwhelming to be honest, when you’re coaching your own nation the responsibility is even greater,” Postecoglou said.

“We deserve to be there. These players deserve to be there ... Just delighted for every one of them ... We did it the hard way.

It’s quite overwhelming. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done — these last 4 years ... Having to go to the World Cup with a rookie squad. Knowing we had to win the Asian Cup.

“One big disadvantage is if things don’t go well then there’s no where to hide

“I’m going to enjoy tonight. I owe it to myself. I owe it to my beautiful wife, my boys, my friends and family.

“They’ve been on this journey too. I’ve got a pretty thick skin but they’ve had to carry a bit of the load as well with me being charge of the national team and I’m just going to enjoy my time with them tonight. And I’ll sit down with the powers that be over the next few days and we’ll discuss everything and we’ll bring it to a head and make a decision.”

He backed his record but said he would always be considered an outsider.

“I’ve been coaching for 21 years, mate. I won my first championship when I was 31 years old. “And you know what? I can coach for another 20 years and I’ll always be an outsider in Australian football. I don’t have the glittering Socceroo career you need, but that’s fine. I wear that as a badge of honour.

“The more that comes my way the more determined and resilient I am to keep going own my own path. It’s worked well for me.

“I’ve had a helluva lot of support from players, coaches, the general sporting public.

“There’s not a day goes by when it doesn’t happen. Maybe I just see the nice ones.”

Postecoglou said he was proud he stuck with his philosophy throughout an epic 22 game campaign.

“I told the players we’re not going to take a backward step. We’re going to be bold and ambitious and with that will come some scrutiny.

“It’s a lot easier to take the comfortable road. It could have been convenient for me to say it’s a young group and we’ve got to be patient but all along I’ve pushed and pushed and pushed.

“They’ve embraced it. We’ve played 22 games of World Cup qualifying and lost two.”

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