- Spoke to Wayne Bennett when questioning his future
- NRL supercoach provided Graham Arnold with clarity
- Tony Popovic new man in hot seat as Socceroos coach
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed the answers to three crucial questions saw him decide to move on as head coach – and they were asked by a revered figure in the NRL.
A 1-0 loss to football minnows Bahrain in early September on the Gold Coast cast doubt in Arnold’s mind – and he was quickly on the phone to Bennett, who will coach South Sydney in 2025.
‘The first question he asked me was when you wake up in the morning are you excited to go to meetings and the training pitch — I said no,’ Arnold told News Corp.
‘He [then] said when you look into the players’ eyes what do you see? And that’s really crucial, because you can see if they are really switched on and focused….I said no, I don’t think they are.’
Bennett’s final question was telling – did Arnold feel he had squeezed the lemon ?
When Arnold responded there was ‘no juice left’, Bennett declared: ‘you have answered your own questions….all the best.’
Ex-Socceroo Tony Popovic was announced as Arnold’s replacement just four days after he resigned, effective immediately – and he has no doubt the decorated A-League coach can guide the Socceroos to qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup.
Arnold also stressed he ‘always put the nation first, the team second, and myself last’ – and ultimately had to be honest with himself.
Former Socceroos boss Graham Arnold has revealed the answers to three crucial questions saw him decide to move on as head coach – and they were asked by a revered figure in the NRL
A frank conversation with NRL supercoach Wayne Bennett put Graham Arnold at ease
The 61-year-old is unsure of his next move – but confirmed he won’t be coaching domestically.
He is eyeing off a ‘new journey’ following involvement in Australian football as a player then coach for 40 years.
Arnold is the longest-serving Socceroos coach, who defied the odds to reach the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The Socceroos next take on China in Adelaide on October 10 in a must-win clash and then travel to face Japan in Saitama just five days later.
Only the top two of the six teams in each group earn direct qualification to the next World Cup, to be hosted by Canada, Mexico and the US.
Australia currently sit fifth in their pool, just one point ahead of China and five points behind undefeated Japan.
