Sydney FC sent letter to FFA reminding them of coach Graham Arnold’s contract term

DETERMINED not to lose their coach to the national team, Sydney FC reportedly sent a letter to Football Federation Australia two months ago.

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold.

SYDNEY FC have been so concerned about losing coach Graham Arnold to the Socceroos they sent a letter to Football Federation Australia — two months ago, before Ange Postecoglou sensationally quit the national team.

It’s believed the letter wasn’t a warning to FFA to stay away from Graham Arnold, but a reminder that he is contracted to the club for another 18 months and any attempt to speak to him should, out of courtesy, be made through the club.

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Recent media reports have suggested that the letter was sent in response to Arnold being linked with the Socceroos job this week, when in actual fact the letter was sent before Postecoglou officially quit the Socceroos.

Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold.

It was also reported that Arnold has a get out clause in his contract allowing him to leave if the Socceroos job comes up, but it’s understood there is no such clause.

Arnold remains the local frontrunner for the job and was forced to deny reports during the week that he had already been offered the role. Arnold continues to insist he’s had no contact from FFA.

The advisory panel consisting of former Socceroos players Mark Schwarzer, Mark Bresciano and Stan Lazaridis only convened this week to begin discussing possible candidates for the job. Their brief is to assist FFA’s Head of National Performance Luke Casserley, along with Socceroos assistant coach Ante Milicic, in selecting the criteria for the new coach and they will also be involved in the initial interview processes.

There have been hundreds of inquiries from both Australia and abroad into the Socceroos job, with Brazilian World Cup-winning coach Luiz Felipe Scolari, as well as England’s Harry Redknapp, among the few who have already signalled their interest.

Once candidates have been through the interview process, FFA will make the final decision by February at the latest, giving the new coach at least a month to prepare for the Socceroos next friendly matches in March.