Ex-Socceroos coach Graham Arnold opens up on his resignation and his future in football

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Six weeks after handing in his resignation as Socceroos coach, Graham Arnold has revealed the words that stung the most, his plans for the future and one major rumour surrounding his exit.

A raw and honest Graham Arnold has revealed his aspiration to continue coaching at the highest level while opening up on the real reason behind his shock resignation as Socceroos coach.

“I’m an honest person and I couldn’t live with myself by feeling like I was lying to the players,” he said.

Arnold also declared he left Australian soccer’s top job without receiving any financial payout while also discussing Australian football’s “politics and culture.”

In his first wide-ranging interview since standing down last month, Arnold also discussed his “uneducated” critics while expressing a quiet desire to one day coach at some level in the NRL.

During his six-year tenure, Arnold, now 61, coached the Socceroos in 57 games for 39 wins – a staggering 68 per cent success rate – and helped lift the nation’s international ranking from 56 to 22.

Arnold has been bombarded with media requests since leaving but chose to exclusively reveal his full story to this masthead.

Former Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has opened up on his dramatic exit from the national team, and his plans for the future. Picture: Richard Dobson

WHY, ARNIE?

Arnold said his love for coaching the Socceroos was waning and his “gut feeling” told him to resign.

“I’m an honest person and I had to be honest with myself – I felt like I was lying to the players and I can’t live with myself doing that,” he said.

“I wasn’t 100 per cent invested in the job and wasn’t enjoying it. I couldn’t lie to the players by saying I was enjoying it. Players aren’t silly, mate. They can feel any difference in the coach.

“You make decisions with your brain and your gut and my gut was turning and had been ever since the Asian Cup quarterfinal loss in February.

“I truly went there thinking we would win the Asian Cup so the loss was a tough blow to take. I kept trying to convince myself that I’ll be all right – ‘C’mon Arnie, you’ll be fine’.

Arnold kept pushing with the Socceroos, even when his gut feeling was that his time was up. Picture: Getty

“We got through the second phase of the World Cup qualifiers with four more wins, scoring 22 goals and not conceding a goal.

“Again, I kept trying to convince myself but the gut was telling me that it just wasn’t there anymore. That happens in coaching, life, even in relationships. If you don’t have that passion, love and fight, then someone can do better.

“That’s why, with eight World Cup qualifiers remaining, I chose to leave when I did to ensure the new coach (Tony Popovic) and team had the necessary time to get direct qualification.

“With the amount of travel, and amount of time you’re away, people think that in-between camps you have a break but you don’t get a chance.

“I was going down to Canberra to meet politicians to try and get a home of football for Football Australia but also to help the kids and game of football in the country. That may have drained me even more.”

Tony Popovic (R) has taken over from Arnold as Socceroos coach. Picture: Getty

THERE’S NO MONEY

While many expected him to walk away with a hefty payout, Arnold revealed he left without a cent, other than his holiday pay.

“If I based my decision on money and salary, I would have stayed but that’s not me,” he said.

“Disappointingly, I didn’t get a cent other than my holiday pay that I was owed.

“The decision was never based around money – it was all about the Socceroos qualifying directly for the 2026 World Cup.

“It’s now all about the next job, that’s what I’m focusing on and getting back into coaching but, again, it won’t be based on money. If it is based on money, you’re doing it for the wrong reasons.

“It has to be based on my passion, where I want to go, what I want to do and I want to have fun doing it. I’m 61 now and coming into the last reign of my career. I want to enjoy life, wherever that is I know I will do a great job with all the experiences I have had and that excites me.”

Arnold says there was no hefty payout for him to walk away from the top job. Picture: Getty

YOU’RE A QUITTER

Some media outlets labelled Arnold a quitter. It irritated him.

“I’ve never quit anything in my life. When people wrote that I quit, they are clearly the uneducated ones who don’t understand why I did it,” he said.

“They have no idea about the pressure at that level in football. And they obviously have no idea about leadership. The last thing I did was quit. I did it for the nation.

“The uneducated don’t understand – and probably don’t realise why – but it was actually a simple decision. It’s not my team. The Socceroos aren’t Graham Arnold’s side, it’s the nation’s team and, after six years I had given everything I possibly could to the nation, team and players.

“I felt if I stayed on, I wouldn’t have done as well as I had before the decision. It was a tough decision but a simple one because I believe I did the right thing for the nation.

“I know it’s the right decision. I’m very proud that I’ve helped a lot of players go on with careers overseas and earn a great living. I have people coming to me now thanking me for everything I have done for the Socceroos over the 30, 40 years that I’ve been involved.”

Arnold took exception to suggestions he ‘quit’ his post. Picture: Getty

I’LL COACH AGAIN

While his Socceroos tenure has ended, Arnold wants to coach again.

“One-hundred per cent,” he said. “I still feel I have so much more to achieve. If that’s coaching another nation, maybe helping them to get to a World Cup for the first time, or a club side somewhere in Asia, then fantastic.

“I look back at my time with the Socceroos with incredible memories. For example, coming 11th at the last World Cup (in 2022). I took the Socceroos ranking from 56 to 22 in the world. Over the 57 games I was in charge, we scored 120 goals and conceded 39.

“But it’s all about now and what’s next. I want to do what makes me happy, first and foremost. There will be rumours and gossip out there about where I want to go.

“I had a brilliant conversation with (Australia’s Tottenham Hotspur coach) Ange Postecoglou the other night. He’s been in this position before. Something will come for me, it’s about being patient and finding the right job.”

Asked whether he had received any nibbles, Arnold said: “No, not at the moment. I want a break but I’m nearly ready to come back. I’m often hard on myself and often underestimate what I have done.”

Then-Brisbane Roar coach Ange Postecoglou (L) shares a laugh with Arnold, who was coaching at Central Coast Mariners.

MATES OR FOES?

Many turned-on Arnold at various stages of his term, some being perceived as close friends.

“It’s part of the job. Coaching is the only trade in the world where you cop abuse and people get away with it,” he said.

“Everyone has a job. I understand the media has a job to do and they have to put food on the table, pay mortgages, make headlines and create some drama.

“The only disappointing thing was when (the criticism) came from ex-players who have experienced what the boys do and the sacrifices the boys make to play for Socceroos.

“Commentators have their views but the most important thing is how you react to it.

“If it (criticism) came from someone I respect like a Guus Hiddink or Ange Postecoglou, I would probably pick up the phone and talk about it.

“But the XXXL wearers, those that wear tracksuits, that’s what I call them, have no idea and have never been in that position, never kicked a ball, if you listen to them and let them control your life, you’re going nowhere.

“The World Cup penalty shootout against Peru in 2022 was also memorable, when I replaced Mat Ryan for the Grey Wiggle, Andrew Redmayne. If I listened to those XXXL tracksuit people then, do you think I would have made such a substitution?”

The decision to sub on Andrew Redmayne for captain Mathew Ryan helped deliver a World Cup berth for Australia. Picture: Getty

Arnold is among Australia’s greatest soccer stars. He was head coach for the 2022 World Cup and assistant in 2006 and 2010. He represented Australia four times at the Olympics, once as a player and assistant coach and twice as head coach. He also won two A League titles with different clubs.

Arnold said the World Cup in Qatar, where the Socceroos reached the last 16, was his greatest achievement but wouldn’t be drawn on whether he wanted to jam his critics after such an epic result.

“My brother (Colin) and wife, Sarah, said that to me,” he said. “Australia has high expectations in every sport. That’s a good and bad thing. Sometimes it can put too much pressure on players and other times it can motivate them.

“That group of players was mentally strong and they proved everyone wrong.”

FA SUPPORT

Arnold was coy when asked whether he had sustained support from FA.

“Yes and no. Sometimes you feel you do and then sometimes you feel you don’t. That can be tiring and make you fatigued,” he said.

“My role and focus was just on the job and getting things right with a lot of challenges.”

Asked to nominate the best and worst aspects of coaching the Socceroos, Arnold said: “The best is the Socceroos’ culture, it’s great, like a family of brotherhood. The worst? Culture and politics. We need everyone on the same page for the good of the game and for kids to fulfil their dreams.

“Culture and passion are the two keys to success in sport and business – not sure we’ve got that.”

Arnold has a long history with the NRL, and particularly Wayne Bennett. Picture: NRL Photos

NRL INTEREST

A massive fan of rugby league, and in particular Wayne Bennett, Arnold said he would love to be part of an NRL club but admits it’s unlikely.

“Mate, I’d love to. There’s not that much difference in coaching. Obviously the tactics and balls are different but it’s about how you get the best out of people,” he said.

“I’m a firm believer in coaching, whatever trade that is, and how you treat people. This generation, and the way people are these days, it’s very important how you get the best out of them and communication is the key.

“I used to be goal kicking coach for a lot of NRL clubs. I’m not sure it will happen.”

CAHILL v RONALDINHO

Arnold will return to coaching this Friday night when a Tim Cahill XI plays a Ronaldinho XI in a star-studded exhibition game at CommBank Stadium.

Cahill’s side will include Aaron Mooy, Luke Wilkshire and Brett Emerton while Ronaldinho’s team will boast Brazilian legends Henrique Silva, Mineiro and Jean Narde.

“I’m so excited to be coaching Tim Cahill’s XI. It will be great to get back in the dressing room and back on the pitch again,” he said.

“Ronaldinho will be here and he’ll be playing.”

Pressed finally on the best player he ever coached, Arnold said: “Good question. The player I’ve played with was Harry Kewell. He has a special skill that not many Australian players have.

“After six years of a lot of stress, but a lot of fun at the same time, I have to say that the last five weeks has the longest period without being on an airplane in 30 years. It’s been great.”