Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s journey to Qatar didn’t start four years ago, when he took charge of the team for a second time in the wake of the 2018 World Cup.
It didn’t start in South Africa 2010, when he was assistant to Pim Verbeek for the Socceroos’ tilt at that World Cup, or in 2008 when he guided the Olyroos to the Beijing Olympics.
It didn’t start at his first World Cup in 2006, when he assisted Guus Hiddink before taking over as interim boss after the tournament in Germany.
It didn’t start six years prior, when he first took on a role as Socceroos’ assistant manager.
Arnold’s road to Qatar dates back to Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium in 1985 when Arnie – a clinical striker – laced up his boots and scored on his Socceroos debut.
For 12 years, he booted home goals on the international stage (19 in 56 games, more goals than any of the current Socceroos can boast), but never quite managed to reach a World Cup.
Indeed, his final match in the green and gold was a fateful day at the MCG in ‘97. The Socceroos led Iran 2-0 and looked set for a place at the big dance, only to slump to a heartbreaking 2-2 draw as the visitors qualified thanks to the away goals rule.
So when Arnold speaks of his dedication to the Australian national team, his impact echoes over the decades.
Now, he says, he needs a break.
“How long have I been here now? 37 years. I’ve learned a lot,” he told reporters in Doha.
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Arnold’s contract expires when the Socceroos’ time in Qatar is up. The players have thrown their support behind the history-making manager to extend his time in charge, with Football Australia highly likely to offer a new deal should the Socceroos reach the Round of 16 for the first time since ‘06. Whether Arnold accepts, however, is a different matter.
Arnold told reporters in Doha: “When you say my contract is up … I’ve seen out four and a half years. I look at it that for the first time in four and a half years, I have my future in my own hands and I can do what I want.
“I will need a break after this, but I’m just here for the next couple of weeks to help the nation, help the boys fulfil their dreams.”
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Arnold has repeatedly spoken about the sacrifices made by players on the journey to qualifying for Qatar. Many endured hotel quarantine time and again to travel with the Socceroos, others like Aaron Mooy stayed away from their clubs for months on end to represent the team. The team still managed a world-record 11-straight wins in qualification, despite playing away from home soil for years on end. Arnold himself contracted Covid-19 twice and was forced to manage the team by video chat.
And – even amid that gruelling campaign – Arnold also took charge of the Olyroos to guide and develop the next generation of stars, a project that has realised its full potential in Qatar.
“Last night, sitting and talking to Harry (Souttar), Riley McGree, Keanu Baccus, Cam Devlin … we start talking about three-four years ago, in Cambodia with the Olympic team, and the last 15 minutes of that game is walking football – and if we didn’t draw that game we wouldn’t have got through and they probably wouldn’t be here today.
“It’s been a fantastic journey but it’s one that is our team identity. Many journeys, one jersey. The journey’s not finished yet.”
The Socceroos face Denmark at 2am AEDT Thursday.