Graham Arnold has completed his first press conference as coach of Australia’s national football side, with the biggest news being that he and his newly-introduced assistants will also coach the under-23 Olyroos team.
Claiming to have asked roughly ten members of Australia’s 2006 World Cup – “the golden generation” – about the most important part of their development, he said the resounding reply was consistency in coaching from their under-23 level to their fully fledged professional careers.
The former Mariners and Sydney FC coach stressed the dual appointment wouldn’t distract him from his ultimate goal of leading Australia to the next World Cup, where he said he’s “expecting to win games”.
Of the newly-unveiled assistants, René Meulensteen is the most prolific name of the bunch, with the Dutch assistant having previously been Sir Alex Ferguson’s right-hand man during the Manchester United. He has long been lauded as one of Cristiano Ronaldo’s most important early influences.
Joining Arnold at the helm of the Socceroos will be Andrew Clark, his sports science coordinator from Sydney FC, physiotherapy coordinator Phil Coles, who performed the same role during Arnold’s previous stint as Socceroos coach, and senior technical analyst Doug Kors.
Arnold paid tribute to Australia’s most recent coaches, Ange Postecoglou and Bert van Marwijk, saying they had both been “great” for the team, while declaring himself as being “in between” the two in terms of coaching style.
The new head coach was bullish about Australia’s future at several times in the press conference, claiming the country had the same calibre of players as many of the world’s top nations.
Citing South Korea and Japan’s strong World Cup performances he said there was no reason Australia – current AFC champions – couldn’t match those efforts in Qatar.
“Everyone talked about our commitment [being] great and the discipline [being] great – that’s the least I expect,” he said.
“When you put on that green and gold shirt which, for me, is the most powerful shirt in the world of sport … that’s the least expected [of you]. Then it comes down to what’s next.”
Arnold’s first big test will be in January, when Socceroos will defend their Asian Cup title.
Wotdoo
Guest
He seems to have done a pretty good job. And p Olle always speak highly of him in regards to coaching and your usernames suggests you know something g about him.
Redondo
Guest
Thomas Broich on Arnold's Sydney FC: "I absolutely love the way they play, they're dictating play, they have great rotations, their offensive structures, their flow is so easy on the eye. It's incredible what they've been doing." https://www.fourfourtwo.com.au/news/thomas-broich-the-a-league-peaked-years-ago-499562 But what would Broich know...
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
2018-2019 is shaping up as one of the best seasons for the A-League, with a big growth in interest after the World Cup according to the Herald Sun. There have also been a number of good signings and marquee players that have created interest all around the world. Even greater anticipation building for the 2019 Asian Cup which kicks off for the Footballroos as the current holders on 6 January when we take on Jordan in Round 1. The A-league and Australian football has a bigger and brighter future in Australia.
marron
Guest
the same Sydney FC that crashed and bashed their way through the a-league but failed at a couple of different final hurdles and couldn't deal with better officiating when they played internationally.... ;)
Arto
Guest
@Oldpsycho: No it's not - he was atually SFC's manager up until May this year - maybe read the comments properly & you might have something a bit more meaningful to contribute on this discussion... The same SFC that shattered Australian soccer records 2 seasons straight? The same SFC that has widely been acknowledged as one of the best Clubs sides we've ever had? The same SFC that went from 6 managers in 9 years to having the same manager for 4 years & who wasn't fired, but headhunted?
Oldpsyco
Guest
Its not 10 years since Sydney FC. If thats what the socceroos are going to become, God help Australian Football.
Oldpsyco
Guest
With muscat's record I wouldn't want him coaching my kids! Should never have been given a coaching licence.
Oldpsyco
Guest
Gee ! Arnie is the Australian Coach. Lowy is refusing to Leave. And the Mariners are bring in Usain Bolt! Can Football get any.........better ?????
Nemesis
Guest
Aloisi? Why? What's he achieved as a coach? And, Kevin Muscat has been more successful in ALeague than Popovic. If there's a natural successor it will be Kevin Muscat.
Nemesis
Guest
"For the right price Van Marwijk would’ve stayed on" Nonsense. BVM will be 70 years old by the time Qatar 2022 ticks around. He did not want a full-time 4 year appointment - at least not in Australia and he would not have lived in Australia.
Steve Bannon
Guest
Nemesis for the right price most coaches are available what a disappointment that the best the FFA could come up with was a specialist in Thug Football whose teams have been proven to be technically inferior to beach football teams ranked outside the top thirty. For the right price Van Marwijk would've stayed on even so the FFA would've had no problem finding a senile Dutchman with dementia that could do a better job than Arnold. Graham Arnold was picked because the FFA knows he isn't going to say anything critical of them also he was the cheapest option available. Stop kidding yourselves Australia is going nowhere in world football and gullible fools who keep pretending we are good enough are part of the problem.
Steve Bannon
Guest
Lionheart going on merit even Terry Butcher would do a better job than Arnold just wait till the Asian cup when Australia don't even make it out of the group stage
Waz
Roar Rookie
Poppa and Aloisi are really the only two candidates in the current mob.
Arto
Guest
You're the exception that proves the rule then! ;-)
MQ
Guest
I'm as hopeless and useless today as I ever was.
Lionheart
Guest
I have a feeling that @Steve Bannon better choice would include Wayne Bennett, Mick Malthouse or Steve Hansen.
Arto
Guest
Yes, we have. Over 10 years ago! How much have you changed in your abilities to do things from 10yrs ago? I think it's safe to say we will see a different Arnold from 2007, don't you?
MQ
Guest
I'm not sure what Steve is basing his views on, and perhaps it's a but unfair to call it out as a disaster, but the flip side is that we've seen Arnie in the job before, and it wasn't good.
Arto
Guest
@ Steve Bannon: And you base your assertions on what exactly? Instead of hiding behind the fence & taking pot-shots at decisions, how about contributing porperly with a counter-point that is backed up with some info or reasoning... That way maybe your assertions can be taken more seriously & who knows, maybe you'll even contribute to the debate in a meaningful way.
Nemesis
Guest
Whom would you have chosen for National Team coach. Let's have your Top 5 names. Be realistic. They must be available & likely to have been interested in coaching the Australian national team.