Graham Arnold has stepped down as head coach of the Socceroos simply three weeks out from Australia’s essential World Cup qualifiers towards China and Japan in October.
Arnold’s departure comes after a disastrous begin to the third spherical of their qualifying marketing campaign, the place the staff picked up only one level from a potential six within the opening two video games towards Bahrain and Indonesia.
The staff’s shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain was simply the second time since 1981 that Australia has suffered defeat on house soil in such a fixture, whereas the 0-0 draw towards 129th-ranked Indonesia led to widespread criticism, with Arnold saying he wanted to go away and “take into consideration issues”.
The Socceroos presently sit fifth in Group C, and can meet bottom-placed China and top-placed Japan subsequent month.
Solely the highest two groups from every group will straight qualify for the 2026 World Cup, whereas the groups in third and fourth can nonetheless qualify by means of future rounds.
Regardless of Soccer Australia CEO James Johnson publicly backing Arnold, the 61-year-old handed in his resignation final week, saying it was in one of the best pursuits of the staff and the nation to step apart.
“Main the Socceroos has been the head of my profession and a real honour,” he stated in an announcement.
“I am extremely happy with our achievements, from breaking information to nurturing new expertise and making historical past on the worldwide stage. After cautious consideration, I imagine it is time for contemporary management to information the staff ahead.
“I stated after our recreation towards Indonesia that I had some choices to make, and after deep reflection, my intestine has instructed me it is time for change, each for myself and this system.
“I’ve made the choice to resign based mostly upon what’s greatest for the nation, the gamers and Soccer Australia. I’ve given completely every thing I can to the position, and I’m immensely happy with what has been achieved throughout my tenure.
“I wish to sincerely thank everybody, notably the Australian soccer household, who has been a part of this journey over the previous six years, and need this unbelievable staff and assist workers nothing however success for this FIFA World Cup qualifying marketing campaign.”
Having led the Socceroos since 2018, Arnold oversaw the staff’s best-ever end at a males’s World Cup, edging previous Denmark and Tunisia within the group stage earlier than narrowly falling to eventual winners Argentina within the spherical of 16.
However that consequence was book-ended by underwhelming qualifying performances, in addition to two quarterfinal exits on the Asian Cup, the place many anticipated them to complete within the closing 4.
The 61-year-old went precariously near getting the sack in 2022 after the Socceroos torpedoed their hopes of direct World Cup qualification, having to depend on Andrew Redmayne’s penalty shootout heroics towards Peru to get to Qatar.
Following the Socceroos’ efficiency in Qatar, Arnold was rewarded with a brand new four-year deal by Soccer Australia.
He reportedly turned down approaches to teach at membership degree with a view to information Australia to the 2026 World Cup, which can happen within the USA, Canada and Mexico.
He leaves because the longest-serving Socceroos coach in historical past, having overseen each the senior males’s and under-23 packages, and ushering by means of a brand new technology of gamers who will carry the staff ahead.
FA CEO James Johnson thanked Arnold for his contributions to the Australian recreation, and confirmed the seek for his alternative was already underway.
“Graham Arnold’s departure marks the top of an period for Australian soccer,” Johnson stated.
“His contributions to the game and the Socceroos are there for all to see. Underneath Graham’s management, we achieved outstanding milestones that elevated Australian soccer on the worldwide stage. Graham’s ardour and dedication have left an indelible mark on the staff and Australian soccer.
“Whereas we respect his resolution and are saddened to see Graham depart the nationwide staff set-up, this situation isn’t unusual in worldwide soccer.
“We are going to act swiftly in appointing a brand new head coach to make sure continuity and stability, notably as we method the essential second window of the AFC Asian qualifiers subsequent month.
“Our focus now shifts to discovering the appropriate candidate who can construct upon the foundations which Graham leaves behind and information the staff ahead with confidence.
“Time is of the essence, and we’re totally dedicated to creating the transition as easy as potential to maintain the Socceroos on observe for continued success.”