Socceroos coach Arnold reflects on his first tenure as national coach

NEW Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed feeling “embarrassed” when reflecting on his first national-team tenure and emphasised how much he has learnt and grown as a coach since.

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold believes he has learned from his first stint as national coach. Picture: Louise Taffa / Twitter

NEW Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed feeling “embarrassed” when reflecting on his first national-team tenure and emphasised how much he has learnt and grown as a coach since.

In his first press conference since taking the reins from short-term manager Bert van Marwijk, Arnold recounted how ill-equipped he was to take over from fellow Dutchman Guus Hiddink after the 2006 World Cup.

He led the golden generation through the ill-fated 2007 Asian Cup campaign before Pim Verbeek was appointed that year.

Socceroos head coach Graham Arnold believes he has learned from his first stint as national coach. Picture: Louise Taffa / Twitter

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Now, as an elder statesmen of the Australian game who’s steered A-League teams Central Coast and Sydney FC to two championships, three Premiers’ Plates and an FFA Cup, not to mention thrice named A-League coach of the year, the 55-year-old will have a second crack at the country’s top gig.

“If there’s one thing I am half decent at it’s learning from mistakes,” Arnold said.

“I can sit here today and say that in 2007 I wasn’t a coach. I inherited a job I didn’t deserve and I do feel I walked away from that a much better coach after making the mistakes I made.

“I can sit now and talk to those guys I coached and I’m actually embarrassed to say that I coached them, because I didn’t try to coach them in the right way.

Former Socceroos coach Guus Hiddink (left) with then assistant coach Graham Arnold during 2006.

“Especially trying to replace Guus Hiddink - that’s like going from the top to the bottom in one go.

“But I’ve gone away into clubland, I’ve worked extremely hard and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons from my mistakes, and I do feel I deserve and am ready for this opportunity. And I can’t wait for it.”

Arnold, who will also take over the coaching of the Olyroos, had no complaints about van Marwijk’s short occupancy covering the World Cup in Russia, where the Socceroos failed to win a game or score in open play but were lauded for their defensively sound display.

“Great, for a guy who came in for the short term with six months,” he said.

Graham Arnold during a Socceroos training session in his first tenure as national coach.

“I think the recruitment of Bert was a great idea. The players clearly connected with him.

“It’s a very difficult task what we asked him to do - a couple of friendly games, a camp then straight into a World Cup campaign.

“For him and the nation to come out with their heads held high after the performances we put in is very good.”

And while an Asian Cup defence looms on the horizon, Arnold admitted he misses the day-to-day elements of A-League coaching.

“That’s another reason for taking on the Olympic team,” he said.

“The A-League is shaping up great. It’s good to be on the other side - I can be friends with the other coaches now.

“(Keisuke) Honda is fantastic recruitment. It’s shaping up as exciting year.”

Originally published as Socceroos coach Arnold reflects on his first tenure as national coach