Why the question of when to unveil the long-term Socceroos coach is a problem for FFA

THE drama of Bert van Marwijk’s appointment as Socceroos coach has died down — but the question of who takes over after the World Cup is still casting a long shadow.

Graham Arnold path to the Socceroos is far from clear. (Matt King/Getty Images)

FOR now, the immediate drama has abated around the Socceroos’ coaching front. We can expect some more noise when Bert van Marwijk gets here later this week, but the question of who takes over after the World Cup is still casting a long shadow.

It’s still effectively Graham Arnold’s job to take if he wants it. No other candidate comes close in the eyes of Football Federation Australia. The expectation still is that he will lead the Australian side on its defence of the Asian Cup in January next year, and then into the World Cup qualifying cycle beyond.

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Graham Arnold path to the Socceroos is far from clear. (Matt King/Getty Images)

The difficult question is when such a deal might be finalised, and made public. Naturally enough the immediate public focus will switch to van Marwijk’s plans — to the squad he must pick in six weeks’ time to play friendlies against Norway and Colombia, to the appearances he makes at games scouting players, and then the 30-man provisional squad he must pick in little more than three months’ time for the World Cup itself.

No doubt supporters and media will continue to ask the question of when the longer term will be addressed, but there’s an argument that it wouldn’t suit Arnold and Sydney FC to provide firm answers.

What will FFA do after Bert van Marwijk winds up? (Ian Walton/Getty Images)

Recall the sabre-rattling from Sydney last year in the letter they sent to FFA reminding head office that Arnold is a contracted employee, with a lengthy notice period. All of that remains the case, and in theory, Arnold would need to resign now to be able to take over the Socceroos after the World Cup.

But if he did, that is news that would be hard to keep quiet, and the history of football is littered with examples of lame-duck coaches who lose authority once their departure is made public. Sir Alex Ferguson once reversed his departure halfway through what was meant to be his last season, so abject was Manchester United’s form.

For Arnold the same advantages apply if no official moves are confirmed for now. His players know for sure he is there until the end of the season, and any question marks over his long-term position haven’t greatly affected the re-signing of players so far.

The Asian Champions League begins in a fortnight, and he is more determined than ever to make a mark in the continental competition. Anything beyond that is a distraction.

But that scenario may not suit FFA, for all that they are about to welcome their Dutch signing, and want him and his World Cup plans to be the focus.

The defence of the Asian Cup next January is being taken very seriously, and there are decisions to be made now about the planning for that tournament and the build-up to it. Equally, with FIFA coming to town next month, focus on the reform of Congress will take up a lot of energy over coming months.

So it may well suit FFA to lock the decisions over the Socceroos role down shortly. Whichever way it turns out won’t suit everyone.