January 30 – Graham Arnold has extended his contract with Australia and will lead the Socceroos through until the 2026 World Cup.
His extension completed a remarkable turnaround for Arnold, who had come under pressure in the build-up to last year’s World Cup, but delivered Australia’s best-ever run at the global finals with two wins in the group stages and a narrow round-of-16 defeat to eventual winners Argentina.
Following the tournament, Arnold (pictured) took a few weeks off and while he reportedly received offers from European clubs as well as a high-profile Asian country, he eventually chose to remain at home and lead the Socceroos into the next cycle with the Asian Cup on the horizon.
“I love Australia and I love Australian football,” Arnold said. “Nothing in football can ever match the elation, pride and sense of achievement [that] I, and the entire set-up, felt in Qatar.
“The hunger to continue in the role has never been stronger, and I know I have more to give to the Socceroos’ program and Australian football, where I want to deliver more smiles for our fans, as we did in Qatar.
“I approach the next four years with a clean sheet, which is underpinned by a burning ambition to provide more opportunities to our leading emerging and established talent, whilst challenging for major titles, starting with the AFC Asian Cup in Qatar next year.”
Arnold will be able to work with the next generation of Australians – Garang Kuol, Keanu Baccus, Cameron Devlin, Kye Rowles and Harry Souttar – in a bid to reverse Australia’s last Asian Cup performance where they finished second in their group and then exited in the first knock-out round, losing 1-0 to the UAE.
“I’m hugely passionate about our pathways and ensuring we are not only producing more elite talent through a connected pyramid, but making sure those footballers are getting the right opportunities to fulfil their dreams, [whether] it’s here in Australia or overseas,” said Arnold.
“I will be hands-on with our men’s national youth team head coaches to support their own development and further strengthen our national team football philosophy.”
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