Kuala Lumpur: A year ago Bernd Stange was enjoying retirement, but in less than a month the 70-year-old will be at the helm of a talented Syrian side's push for a best-ever showing at the AFC Asian Cup UAE 2019.
In a wide-ranging interview with the-AFC.com, the globetrotting German boss discussed his return to football, his inside knowledge of Group B opponents Australia and the steely resolve of his playing group.
Stange has seen it all - and had seemingly seen enough when he decided to call time on his decorated career in July 2016 - but the veteran tactician simply couldn't shake his love affair with the game, coming out of retirement to lead Syria's campaign at UAE 2019.
"It was a very difficult decision to make for me and for my family, and I had to think about what I would do in the future," he revealed.
"I only had two options: to feed the ducks in the river in my hometown, to cut roses in my garden, to meet with the grandchildren, or to take responsibility in the most loved sport ever for me: football.
"I took a decision to prepare the Syrian national team, which had qualified for the Asian Cup 2019 in the United Arab Emirates, and I think it was a good decision."
Bernd Stange - Head Coach Syria
With gardening duties left for another time, Stange is now plotting to be the first coach in history to take Syria to the knockout stage of the AFC Asian Cup, and perhaps further.
Few coaches in the world have the international experience to match a career which has included taking the helm of the national teams of East Germany, Oman, Iraq, Belarus and Singapore, in addition to club sides in Germany, Ukraine, Cyprus and AFC Asian Cup foes Australia.
The 70-year-old has particularly fond memories of his stint down under - at the helm of a swashbuckling Perth Glory side from 1998 to 2001 - and has kept a close eye on the development of the Australian game since his departure.
"It's better (now) because they made the step from semi-professional football to full professional football. A professional league, fantastic stadiums, good facilities, youth development. Everything is better," said Stange, who regularly faced current Socceroos boss Graham Arnold in the Australian National Soccer League.
"I can only dream of such a situation as in Australia. (In Syria) we don't have such things, but maybe we have another idea and other strengths, and we have a good team.
"I've followed Australian football over the years and I've been there very often in Perth to see friends and players and that's why I'm very well informed about the progress of Australian football."
It is now two decades since Stange's time in Perth began, but Australia and Syria's connection is far more recent, with their 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification playoff - won in 3-2 after extra time by the Socceroos - fresh in the memory.
Despite a gallant effort over two legs, Syria's World Cup dream was ultimately crushed by a combination of Tim Cahill's last two international goals and the woodwork, which denied Omar Al Somah (pictured below) from scoring what would have been a match-winning 121st minute free-kick.
With Australia going on to easily account for Honduras and reach Russia 2018, Syria were left to ponder what might have been, but Stange believes the experience could prove valuable when the two sides meet in their potentially vital Group D Matchday Three clash in Al Ain.
"I saw both games (in the playoff) and finally I felt Syria was a little bit better," he revealed.
"They had the chance to make the qualification, but they missed the opportunities, they had a red card and in the dying minute of the game Omar Al Somah hit the post.
"It's still a strong motivation (for us) and gives our team confidence to face Australia in our group in United Arab Emirates, but we will never make the mistake to underestimate the other opponents - Jordan and Palestine.
"It's quite clear in our team that we want to pass the group stage."
Stange admits the ongoing situation in Syria provides unique challenges as a coach, but he is eager to explain that life, and football, goes on in the nation.
Saudi-based stars Al Somah and Omar Khribin are names known throughout Asia, but Stange insists the Qasioun Eagles will equally rely on players from the Syrian domestic scene, for whom he reserves special praise.
"(The) situation in Syria improved very quickly," he explained. "We have a national league and people are enthusiastic about football in Syria. You have capacity crowds in Latakia, you have capacity crowds in Aleppo and Homs."
"Football is alive in Syria and we are going to watch these matches week after week and there are young talents - maybe more natural talents, not educated in academies with scientists and physios - but very motivated, hard workers.
"They don't care if the pitch isn't in 100 percent condition. They don't care if the food is not on the level of a professional player, but you can achieve something because they are anxious (to succeed).
"These are not pussycats, these are men. This is how I am choosing the players, and youngsters are coming, and coming, and coming again."
Having overcome improbable odds to become a rising Continental force, Syria will now aim to go deep into the AFC Asian Cup knockout rounds, and, in doing so, keep their ultra-experienced coach out of the garden and on the touchline for a long as possible.
Source: the-afc.com