''I've never known this feeling of being so loved,'' said a clearly moved Postecoglou. ''The response of the football community, and Australian people generally, has been overwhelming. I'm still getting my head around it.'' Postecoglou's trademark pose - looking down, hands in his pockets, regardless of his mood - was soon replaced by a knowing grin. ''But this job is also a challenge, a huge one,'' he said. ''Because generally I do my best work when I'm under siege. At least I know it's only a couple of months until you lot will put me there.'' The room burst into laughter. Turns out the former South Melbourne, Brisbane Roar and Melbourne Victory boss - who makes his debut in the international dugout next Tuesday against Costa Rica in Sydney - can deliver quite the oration. Earlier in the day, Postecoglou had taken the Socceroos in his first official session as coach. Just 12 players turned out; the rest were either in transit or had just arrived. Tim Cahill missed his flight from New York to Los Angeles and would be the last to arrive. Rain drenched the session and the new boss didn't say much, preferring to let his assistants Aurelio Vidmar and Scott Miller run the session. He preferred to observe, much like a hawk looking for a stray mouse.

Postecoglou is clearly a man of logic and reason. But he understands the emotive nature of those around the game, not least because he too feels the same way. He doesn't have the raw, manic demeanour of Rale Rasic or the glorious, unbridled enthusiasm of Frank Arok - modern coaching wouldn't allow such a thing - but his passion for the jersey is no less. He grew up watching Rasic's 1974 team, and played all four of his Socceroos' games under Arok in 1986. If only the glorious ''Arok jig'' could become ''Ange's jig''. The next day, Postecoglou gave his assistants an express directive: don't let the players waste a moment at training. Every second counts.

When the squad arrived at Kogarah Oval on Wednesday, they exited the team bus and walked through the tunnel and onto the field for a warm-up lap. The pitch was already laid out, cone perfect, by the assistant coaches. The message of business, not pleasure, couldn't have been clearer. Later that day, the Socceroos were due to meet the surviving members of the team that qualified for the 1974 World Cup, Rasic inclusive. But before they did, Postecoglou laid down the law. This was the talk the team had been waiting for. He told the players that everything they did, for the rest of this camp and until the World Cup, had to be geared towards the betterment of the team. If they couldn't meet that requirement, they'd be out. If that sounds petty, it's been a major source of consternation in and around the squad for years. One insider dryly remarked that the foreign-based players once used all their free time courting local sponsors.

Perhaps most tellingly, Postecoglou remarked to his men that they alone were responsible for anything they managed to achieve from here. He told of how the 1974 crop had created a ''moment in time'', and that they too were now granted their own opportunity to create history. Above all, however, he asked his players to prioritise team unity above everything else. Lucas Neill might ultimately find himself stripped of the captaincy by Postecoglou but the 35-year old said the new coach's opening dialogue moved everyone who heard it. ''I thought it was a fantastic opening to our official start to camp,'' he said. ''It was a highly motivating speech and it was exactly what Australian people growing up really thought about - the pride in the shirt and the desire to be successful. ''He then went about setting his expectation level, about being the ultimate professional and being 'lucky ones' that get to wear that shirt, especially when so many can't. They're the core values of being a Socceroo.

''Sometimes it's nice to get that reminder and it just makes you want to train or play because you're so pumped up. It gets the blood going. It was a fantastic start to our camp.'' The message was even blunter to those around the team. Postecoglou urged them to deliver world-class service, stating there was no reason they should trail any other nation off the field. It will be hard enough to beat them on it, he reckoned. Gallop was at training on Friday to check on things and departed suitably impressed. Lowy's eyes and ears, Phil Wolanski - a man who surely must have tired of trying to smooth Holger Osieck's rough edges - looked on contentedly. Rhys Williams, a victim of the chopping and changes of regimes past, appeared to be relishing the early days of Postecoglou. ''Oh, it's been great. The new manager has come in and a clean slate for everyone and I think it shows,'' he chirped.''Everyone has been working hard and it's been a very good few days.'' Williams - who is agitating a role ''in the spine of the team'' - reckoned the new coach would finally give him a regular spot after just 11 caps in four years.

''Some players who weren't involved as much as they'd like last time have got the chance now,'' he said. ''Everyone wants to show the new boss they deserve to play.'' While Jason Davidson is eternally thankful to Osieck for giving him his first international cap, he couldn't help but feel a new mood had swept through the camp. ''Nobody knows who is going to start because Ange keeps his cards very close to his chest. That's his style but it's keeping everyone on their toes,'' he said. ''But the mood around the camp is just so much better than some of the ones in the past. I think in those last few camps, it was all just a bit flat, and that's not even taking into account the results [losing 6-0 to Brazil and France]. Everyone seems a bit more relaxed and happy. It's a good vibe.'' While all are thankful that Osieck helped Australia qualify, the sense of relief that there's a new man at the helm is palpable.

Leave the last word to Lowy. ''We've got the best man,'' Lowy grinned. ''And the best part is that he's an Aussie.''