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Return of Arnold a strange decision by FFA

Roar Guru
19th January, 2009
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Roar Guru
19th January, 2009
19

Pim Verbeek got sent off in his last match in charge of South Korea during the third place playoffs against Japan and is suspended for three Asian cup qualifiers. Graham Arnold is taking over and leading the side.

The issue here is not whether Arnold is capable of leading Australia to qualify to the Asian Cup. He already coached the Socceroos and the Olyroos through lengthy qualification campaigns through Asia.

I’m quite confident that the Socceroos will get the job done even with Arnie at the helm.

The issue is more why does it look like Arnold has a permanent seat at the Socceroos camp despite all the poor performance?

After the Asia Cup, FFA looked for a new boss.

The choice was between Pim Verbeek and Philippe Troussier. Pim Verbeek was chosen as he was the only coach willing to accept the precondition that Arnold will remain the assistant manager of the national team.

Why is Arnold so vital for the Socceroos that the FFA will not hire a coach that refuses to employ him? Is he more important than getting the right manager? When Pim leaves, will FFA force that precondition to all future coaching candidates?

Graham Arnold was then given the job as manager of the Olyroos. How do you reward a coach who failed with the national side with another job?

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The most surprising thing was that Arnold selected the squad without any input from Pim Verbeek. Arnie may have informed Pim of his selection, but Pim never had any say in the make-up of the squad, causing us to have an under 23 national team that was autonomous and disconnected from the Socceroos.

Pim Verbeek admitted that it would have been ideal for him to have more control over the team, but he just had to deal with it. Why is it so important that Arnie had complete autonomy over the Olyroos?

Now Graham Arnold is coach of the Socceroos once again instead of Henk Duut. The question has to be asked: is this Pim’s decision or is it FFA’s decision?

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