SYDNEY, Jan 30 (Reuters) – Australia coach Graham Arnold will remain in the job until the end of the 2026 World Cup finals in North America, Football Australia (FA) said on Monday.
Arnold guided the Socceroos to the last 16 for only the second time at last year’s World Cup in Qatar, before a 2-1 defeat by eventual champions Argentina ended their campaign.
Returning home just months after suffering fatigue during Australia’s tumultuous qualifying campaign, Arnold has been given time to consider his future after the 2018 World Cup.
“I love Australia and I love Australian football, and football will never match the joy, pride and sense of achievement I and the whole set-up felt in Qatar,” the 59-year-old said. Young said in a news release.
“The appetite to continue in the role has never been stronger and I know I have a lot to give to the Socceroos program and Australian football, where I want to bring more smiles to our fans like we did in Qatar. was.”
Local media reports said Arnold, a former Socceroos striker who won two A-League titles as club manager, had rejected offers from European and one Asian national team to stay in charge for another four years. was given
His first task will be to prepare Australia for the Asian Cup in Qatar early next year. The Socceroos won the continental title on home soil in 2015 but were knocked out in the quarter-finals of the 2019 edition under Arnold.
Arnold, who warned during the World Cup campaign that the grassroots level of the Australian game needed serious attention, will also have a role in guiding the national age-group teams and identifying young talent.
He added, “I am extremely passionate about our approach and ensuring that we are not only creating more elite talent through an affiliate pyramid, but ensuring that That these footballers are getting the right opportunities to fulfill their dreams.”
“In addition to the success on the field over the next four years, I want to help deliver football results in the form of infrastructure for our sport across Australia.”
Arnold was credited with building a strong bond within a squad that arrived in Qatar with low expectations but went on to win two World Cup tournaments for the first time, beating Tunisia and Denmark.
Previously unheralded players such as Harry Souter, Craig Goodwin and Keanu Backes achieved international fame with their performances in football’s global showpiece.
“Under Graham’s leadership, the Socceroos made Australian football history with their performance at the World Cup in Qatar, uniting the nation like never before,” FA chief executive James Johnson said.
“We are excited that he has committed to Football Australia to help us bring our vision for the game to life.”
Reporting by Nick Mulvenney; Edited by Christian Rednage, Hemani Sarkar, Peter Rutherford
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