Key Points
- Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has announced he will step down, effective immediately.
- Football Australia confirmed the news on Friday and in a statement, Arnold said it was time for change.
- He was the longest-serving coach in the team’s history.
Graham Arnold has quit his role as Socceroos coach and will leave immediately.
Football Australia is now searching for a new coach ahead of Australia’s next World Cup qualifier in October.
No plan to appoint interim coach
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said on Friday, as the Socceroos head into the next round of round three qualifiers, there’s no plan to appoint an interim coach.
“We are already in the market for a new coach,” he said.
“I want to confirm that we will move quickly to appointing a permanent coach before the next window.
“Our plan is to go into the market and appoint a permanent coach that we believe shares our vision. We’ll get the best out of this team going into the World Cup in 2026.”
Johnson said that the next coach is expected to be “obviously tactically astute” and someone who “understands the Australian mentality and our players”.
“We want a coach that we have confidence in that can guide us through a complicated Asian qualifier process. That sort of knowledge and experience will be important in our selection matrix for the permanent Socceroos coach.”
“We will look locally, but we’ll also consider candidates globally.”
Australia’s next qualifier is against China in October.
Graham Arnold longest-serving Socceroos coach
Arnold was the longest-serving coach in Socceroos history, having been appointed in August 2018 after a brief interim role in 2006 – 2007.
His departure comes after the Socceroos picked up just one point from a possible six in their opening two games of third-round World Cup qualifying.
Australia lost 1-0 at home to Bahrain earlier this month and drew 0-0 with Indonesia to leave them fifth in their group with eight games left to play in this round.
Only the top two teams in the group qualify directly for the 2026 World Cup — to be held in the US, Canada and Mexico — with the third and fourth-placed teams progressing to the next round of qualifying.
“I said after our game against Indonesia that I had some decisions to make, and after deep reflection, my gut has told me it’s time for change, both for myself and the program,” Arnold said in a statement.
“I’ve made the decision to resign based upon what’s best for the nation, the players and Football Australia. I’ve given absolutely everything I can to the role, and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved during my tenure.”
During his time in the role, Arnold coached the Socceroos to their most successful FIFA World Cup performance in 2022, where they reached the Round of 16 for the second time.
He also coached the team to two quarter-final exits at the Asian Cup.
Graham Arnold is quitting after six years as Socceroos coach. Source: AAP / Dave Hunt
Johnson said Arnold’s departure marked the “end of an era” for Australian football.
“Graham’s passion and dedication have left an indelible mark on the team and Australian football,” Johnson said.
“While we respect his decision and are saddened to see Graham leave the national team set-up, this scenario is not uncommon in international football.
The Socceroos will host China in Adelaide on 10 October before facing undefeated Japan in Saitama on 15 October.
–Additional reporting by the Australian Associated Press
