Arnold dubbed No.1 World Cup coach as Socceroos hit decade-high world ranking

Australia’s Graham Arnold has been dubbed the best coach of the 2022 World Cup by renowned French publication L’Equipe after putting the Socceroos on track for their highest FIFA ranking in more than a decade.

Arnold, whose deal with Football Australia expired after the Socceroos’ most successful World Cup campaign, was rated the No.1 manager by the French daily sports newspaper, regarded as one of the leading authorities on the world game.

Players and coaches at the tournament were given a rating after each game by L’Equipe, with Arnold’s average of 6.75 pipping Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu’s 6.50.

Lionel Scaloni was ranked equal third for steering Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since 1986 alongside Morocco’s Walid Regragui, architect of the African side’s stunning run to the semi-finals. France’s Didier Deschamps followed in fifth place.

French superstar Kylian Mbappe (7.17) scored the highest player rating for the tournament ahead of Argentinian rival Lionel Messi (6.71).

L’Equipe’s performance ratings are notoriously tough – only 13 perfect 10s have been awarded in more than 30 years by the publication – and are held in high regard in soccer circles.

Arnold’s efforts in lifting Australia from what many pundits predicted to be a last-placed finish in their group to a gutsy round-of-16 loss to Argentina was held in particularly high regard alongside the giant-killing runs of Japan and Morocco.

Talks between Arnold and FA are set to resume once he returns from holiday in the UK after Christmas. FA chief James Johnson pledged not to sound out coaching contenders in the meantime.

Johnson acknowledged last week that “realistically, Arnie’s value has increased” with demand for the 59-year-old from international rivals and overseas clubs alike sparked by Australia’s campaign.

The side’s efforts are set to be reflected in the FIFA world rankings due to be released on Thursday, with Australia slated to climb 11 places to 27th.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold celebrates with Bailey Wright after beating Denmark in Qatar.Credit: Getty Images

It is the team’s best placing since being 25th in September 2012 under former coach Holger Osieck. Along with Morocco, Australia will be this month’s biggest climbers.

Rankings are significant as they are often used for seeding, including in World Cup qualifying as well as at finals. Australia will remain the fourth-highest Asian Football Confederation nation behind Japan (20), Iran (24) and South Korea (25) but will be well clear of fifth-ranked Saudi Arabia (48).

According to ESPN and rankings tracking websites, Brazil will remain No.1 when the official rankings are issued despite being knocked out in the quarter-finals.

Argentina would have overtaken them if they had won the World Cup final in regulation time, but their penalty shootout victory did not garner enough points to displace their South American rivals.

Argentina will move up to second with France third and Belgium, who exited in the group stage, down to fourth.

Quarter-finalists England and the Netherlands will be next with third-placed Croatia climbing five places to seventh. European champions Italy, who did not qualify for the finals, will be eighth with Portugal and Spain rounding out the top 10. Morocco will be 11th.

Watch every match of the UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League and UEFA Europa Conference League on Stan Sport. Returns for the Round of 16 in February 2023, with all matches streaming ad-free, live and on demand.

Sports news, results and expert commentary. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.

with AAP