NRL 2024: Socceroos coach Graham Arnold offers advice to help South Sydney Rabbitohs

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has admitted the South Sydney Rabbitohs are ‘­disjointed’ and ‘not aligned’ culturally, offering to help his favourite NRL side re-emerge from the darkness.

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has a reputation for being among the best cultural man-managers in world football.

A gaffer who miraculously masterminded Australia’s soccer team into the final 16 at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.

Yet when watching South Sydney, Arnold admitted his favourite NRL side was ­“disjointed” and “not aligned” culturally.

Arnold offered his take on the Rabbitohs’ spectacular demise and what it would take for the club to re-emerge from the NRL darkness.

Souths sacked head coach Jason Demetriou this week with Arnold claiming his replacement must implement a culture of “mateship, unity and brotherhood.”

“When you watch Souths play, they don’t look invested. They’re disjointed and not aligned. In my observation, Souths aren’t all playing as one and that can be cultural,” ­Arnold said. “It’s sad seeing Souths where they are on the competition ladder, absolutely.

Socceroos Head Coach Graham Arnold has offered his two-cents on the situation unfolding at South Sydney, suggesting the new Rabbitohs coach must implement a culture of “mateship, unity and brotherhood.” Picture: Getty Images

“That’s not where they belong. The game thrives when Souths are at the top.

“But they’re not on the same page and that will be the ­challenge for the new Rabbitohs coach – making sure the communication with the ­players is there.

“It’s about man-management, mateship, brotherhood, family, doing it for each other, all being on the same page, discipline, working hard, ­turning up in time.

“Latrell Mitchell and Cody Walker. They could make or break. Your communication skills with these two are crucial. It’s about understanding the professional side but also the personal side. Are there any distractions? If so, try and fix it.

“You’ve got to spend the time with Latrell.

“It’s about how you deal with his character, how you manage people and get the best out of the individual.

“That’s why Wayne Bennett and Craig Bellamy have been so successful for so long. First and foremost, they are like father figures to the players.”

Arnold believes whoever takes over at the club needs a good communicator to get the best out of Cody Walker and Latrell Mitchell. Picture: NRL Imagery

With limited resources, and no players competing in the top leagues around the world, Arnold has guided Australia into 22nd spot in the FIFA world rankings.

“Say Penrith is at 90 per cent and Souths at 70 per cent. How are you going to get that extra 20 per cent? It’s all about preparation, messaging, planning – keep it simple,” he said.

“The great teams that have been successful, like the Penrith Panthers, they’re all united, together and great friends, that type of mateship is crucial for culture.

“The importance of the backroom staff, from the assistant coach to kit man, is also crucial. They all have to have the coach’s back and the coach has to be able to trust them like brothers.

“You can have the best game plan ever but if the players aren’t invested, they’re not going to follow it.

“If you don’t fix culture, it doesn’t matter what else you do, it won’t work. Everyone is talking about Wayne Bennett because they know that’s what he will do.”

Arnold has backed Wayne Bennett to succeed in restoring the Rabbitohs’ culture.

Pressed on whether he would like to join Souths in a part-time role to head up ­culture, Arnold said: “I have a full-time job with the ­Socceroos and FA but I love the ­Rabbitohs.”

Arnold has a strong and long connection to rugby league.

In the early 2000s, as a kicking coach for hire, Arnold helped ­revolutionise the art of goal kicking.

Asked to reveal what makes a strong culture, Arnold said: “It’s about creating the same messaging. If you’re not ­connected as one, then you’re going to get disruptions ­everywhere. One of my strengths is building culture. I don’t think you have different cultures for different sports. It’s a team environment.”

Originally published as NRL 2024: Socceroos coach Graham Arnold offers advice to help South Sydney Rabbitohs