FIFA Updates

Football Federation Australia (FFA) CEO Ben Buckley has confirmed long-serving Socceroos assistant manager Graham Arnold will end his time with the Australian national team at the conclusion of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Arnold was first appointed as assistant at national team level in 2000, ushering in the historic reign of Dutch manager Guus Hiddink before succeeding the former Korea Republic boss at the helm of the Socceroos.

A disappointing Asian Cup campaign in 2007 meant his time in charge was limited, the former Sydney United manager returning to his role as assistant for the tenure of Pim Verbeek, during that time also leading the widely criticized Olympic campaign of the nation’s U-23 team at Beijing 2008.

“Graham has been a fantastic servant to the Qantas Socceroos as a player and in a coaching capacity,” Buckley said.

“Graham’s current coaching contract with FFA is set to conclude at the end of the 2010 World Cup campaign, and although we are disappointed that he will no longer be involved with the National Team, we wish him all the best for his new challenge.”

Arnold’s appointment was also endorsed by Socceroos Head Coach Pim Verbeek.

“The Central Coast Mariners have had five fantastic years with Lawrie Mckinna and they are very fortunate to have Graham as their new coach,” Verbeek said.

“I am sure that the players and club will benefit greatly from his knowledge and experience.”

Arnold began his club football career in 1980 with Canterbury-Marrickville in the NSW 1st Division before moving onto Sydney Croatia in the National Soccer League (NSL) in 1982. Arnold spent nine seasons with Sydney Croatia making 178 appearances and scoring 68 goals.

From 1990, Arnold moved overseas to play for Roda JC Kerkrade (Netherlands), Liege (Belgium), RC Chaleroi (Belgium), NAC Breda (Netherlands) and Sanfrecce Hiroshima (Japan) and then returned to Australia to finish his domestic football playing days as player/coach with Northern Spirit in the NSL.

As an international footballer, Graham Arnold made his senior international debut against Chinese Taipei at Hindmarsh Stadium on the 23rd October 1985 and made 85 appearances in total (56 A-international/29 non–A internationals) over a twelve year period culminating in the World Cup Qualification match against Iran at the MCG on the 29th November 1997.

In 2000, Arnold was appointed as the Assistant Coach of the Socceroos and Qantas Olyroos under Frank Farina, a position that has held on and off for the past 10 years.

One of the most qualified coaches in the country, Arnold holds an A-Licence and is currently studying towards his FFA Pro Coaching licence.