Graham Arnold is ready to put his feet up after the gruelling four-year journey to Australia’s best World Cup performance, only offering a “see what happens” when it comes to the possibility of staying on as Socceroos coach.
Arnold’s contract has expired with Australia’s World Cup exit at the hands of Lionel Messi and Argentina, and both he and Football Australia must decide whether either party is keen to extend the agreement.
The 59-year-old was close to losing his job only months ago as Australia looked in danger of missing qualification but the Socceroos’ success in Qatar has raised the possibility he could stay on beyond the tournament.
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Arnold has been linked with several other jobs, including in the MLS, but he insists he hasn’t given his future any real thought yet, or sought clarity from FA on whether he may be offered an extension.
“My contract is up and I just want to go away, have a holiday, have a break and see what happens,” Arnold said.
“I’ve worked extremely hard in this campaign, I haven’t even thought about it – I need a break, a rest and no doubt I’ll have some good discussions with the organisation.”
Arnold certainly appears to have the full support of the current playing group, with players speaking highly of the strong ‘family’ culture he has built. The squad for this tournament featured a heap of youth, blooded by Arnold at the Tokyo Olympics, and he could be tempted to carry on the journey knowing the team could be even stronger in four years’ time.”
“He’s worked with the Olyroo boys and for us older boys, you’d want him to stick around,” striker Jamie Maclaren said.
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“He’s done it tough, like we all have so at the end of the day I think he wants to have a holiday, he did say that. So, who knows what his future lies in? But it’s really in FA’s hands and if Arnie wants to stick around.”
Mathew Leckie said Arnold had been “amazing for the players”.
“He creates a great atmosphere, great culture, and I think that’s why we’ve got such an amazing group, you know, every single player that stepped on the pitch in this tournament, gave everything they had,” Leckie said.
“And I think that’s why we have so much success. And what his future is here. We will never know. But I think although, you know, he’s had some criticism of people probably wanting him not be the coach. I think he’s proved and showed in this tournament how much he can get out of the team.”
Jackson Irvine added on Arnold’s future: “The dust will settle on everything here and obviously he’s been a huge part of everything we’ve done here and the FA and Arnie will do what’s best for them and make those decision
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“But as players we’re happy we got to share those experiences all the way through, there were some bumpy ones along the way.
“I think he earned the right to take us here through this tournament and I think at the end of the day, when all is said and done, whatever happens, he can be proud of the team he built and the tournament we’ve played.”
Arnold called his players in for a team meeting after Sunday’s defeat and revealed what he told them.
“I just said to the boys I couldn’t be more proud of the effort and everything they gave to me, and to the nation,” he said.
“It’s been a four and a half year journey, a tough journey for everyone but we’re a bit disappointed as we could’ve got something more out of it.
“But I hope Australia is proud of these players. I thank them for all their work, the effort they put in through this campaign but it’s about making the nation proud and I’m sure we did that.”
