Can Graham Arnold guide the Socceroos to an Asian Cup defence?

In March 2018, Graham Arnold was appointed head manager of the Socceroos until 2022.

This decision sparked uproar on social media. Many were disconsolate about this selection. However, what if this appointment turned out to be a positive one. It certainly has the potential to be an extremely promising era for the national team.

In 2007, Graham Arnold was at hand to take the reins for a while on his own as interregnum coach – highlighted by a rather unhappy Asian Cup of 2007.

“I got given the job and I wasn’t ready for it. I did my best but it wasn’t enough. I think the biggest lesson I learned from that was how strong I was myself – even with the criticism that went with it, I still wanted to be a coach.”

This period in 2007 is the cause of countless football fans casting their doubt upon Graham Arnold, however don’t count him out yet.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold celebrates (AAP Image/David Moir)

Having guided Sydney FC to premierships in 2017-18 and 2018-19, it goes without saying that Graham Arnold is an experienced and well-disciplined coach. Arnold understands the fans’ apprehensive attitude towards his appointment however he promises his coaching ability has enhanced.

“It’s 10 years ago and I’ve improved a lot in the role of coaching”, he said. Arnold ensures he is ready to guide the Socceroos to Asian Cup title defence and it certainly appears to be achievable.

With the news of Mile Jedinak and Tim Cahill departing the Socceroos, the squad is shaping up to be quite different from the one that set foot in Australia in 2015 for the AFC Asian Cup. Off the back of a promising 4-0 victory over Kuwait, Arnold’s free-flowing attacking philosophy looks to be progressing quite nicely among the squad.

Arnold only has two more games before he heads off to United Arab Emirates for the Asian Cup in January. Time is not on Arnold’s side, however it certainly won’t stand in his way.

The next four years look to be an exciting yet challenging period for the Socceroos. Graham Arnold had a stellar managerial record with Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners, and there is no reason this winning-culture can’t transpose onto the national team.

Only time will tell if this turns out to be a successful decision to bring Arnold in for a second chance.

Australia begin their Asian Cup defence on the 6th January 2019 against Jordan.