Graham Arnold set to be overlooked for vacant Socceroos job
THE odds are shortening towards a foreign coach leading the Socceroos into the World Cup, with the FFA compiling a short list of superstar candidates for formal interview.
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THE odds are shortening towards a foreign coach leading the Socceroos into the World Cup, with a local figure likely to be appointed for the longer term after Russia.
As Football Federation Australia confirmed it has compiled a short list of candidates for formal interview, Dutchman Bert van Marwijk is thought to be one of the leading candidates to succeed Ange Postecoglou on a short-term contract.
Though FFA has not discounted the possibility of a head coach being appointed to oversee this year’s World Cup, next year’s Asian Cup and the 2022 World Cup qualifying cycle beyond that, there is recognition that securing a local candidate now would cause huge disruption and cost a significant sum in compensation.
Sydney FC boss Graham Arnold remains the clear favourite to assume the national reins in the long run, but Sydney FC have had no contact from FFA seeking permission to discuss the job with him.
Melbourne Victory boss Kevin Muscat, though significantly less experienced than Arnold, has also featured in discussions, though his side have struggled for consistency this season.
Van Marwijk’s application has been viewed favourably for several reasons, not least the salary he would demand compared with other interested figures including compatriot Louis van Gaal and Brazilian World Cup winner Luiz Filip Scolari.
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Former Argentine coach Marcelo Bielsa is also in the frame, though some have expressed concern at his lack of English could be a hindrance given the lack of time the new coach will have to prepare the team for Russia.
Having coached Holland to the final of the 2010 World Cup – albeit with a controversial, highly physical style – van Marwijck already knows something of the Socceroos, after leading Saudi Arabia to automatic qualification for the World Cup ahead of Australia.
It’s believed he is also attracted to the Socceroos job by the quality of the set-up left behind by Postecoglou, including extensive sports science and analysis operations.
Van Marwijk quit the Saudi job after qualifying after the federation there fought his plans for World Cup preparation and refused to upgrade his contract.
In its statement on Tuesday, Football Federation Australia confirmed it still intends to make an appointment by mid-February, and dropped a hint that it is strongly considering a short-term appointment for the World Cup and then another figure for the longer term.
Formal interviews will begin now, after a filtering process of the large number of foreign coaches to express interest, including van Gaal, Luiz Felipe Scolari, Ralf Rangnick, Sven-Goran Erikkson and Roberto Mancini.
“We have worked with our panel of internal and external experts to draw up the selection criteria and then considered candidates against this criteria,” FFA CEO David Gallop said in a statement.
“Through this process we have whittled the names down to a small number of candidates, local and international, and we will soon begin the formal interviews.”
“It is has been clear from the outset that we have to pick someone who can lead the Socceroos for this year’s World Cup while also making sure we have the right set-up for the future, including next year’s Asian Cup at which we will be the defending champions.
“The role has attracted some outstanding individuals and we are confident that we will be able to achieve a very good result for football in Australia.”
Originally published as Graham Arnold set to be overlooked for vacant Socceroos job