A number of Australian national team players have backed head coach Pim Verbeek following rumours of a split between them and he.

Innuendo has surrounded the Socceroos camp since the disappointing 4-0 opening group stage loss to Germany with reports suggesting that there was a divide between some senior players and Verbeek but it seems that all is well in the Australia camp.

Defender Michael Beauchamp said: "All of the boys have exactly the same respect for Pim as they did for Guus.

"He will tell you when you're doing something wrong, he'll congratulate you when you're doing something right.

"It's a great thing to have a coach who has respect for every player, no matter who you are or where you come from."

Midfielder Mile Jedinak added: "Pim brings a calming presence to the team.

"But he also has a real strong focus which is something I've come to admire and will admire for years to come."

Brett Holman added further: "When you get the players only for a short time, you have to be good at man management.

"That's where I think he has learned from Dick Advocaat (who turned down the Socceroo job Verbeek eventually got) and Hiddink.

"You can see he's definitely picked up on the tricks of