Arnold's Out - FFA Seek New Boss

[Rocky10]

Arnold's Out - FFA Seek New Boss

Graham Arnold’s days as Australia coach are over with Football Federation Australia promising a new manager 'as soon as possible'.

The FFA have stepped up the search for a new national boss after the Socceroos were bundled out of the Asian Cup on Saturday.

Australia lost on penalties after going down to ten men and being held by Japan to a 1-1 draw in normal and extra time.

Arnold had set the semi-finals as the minimum target for Australia and the quarter-final exit was widely seen as a disappointing result.

Now Arnold will be replaced sooner rather than later, promised FFA chief executive Ben Buckley.

"We've always said we were undertaking a global search for a national team coach that would take us through to 2010 and that continues," he said on Sunday.

"We hope to do it as soon as practically possible, within the next couple of months.

"It's always a bit difficult to put a timeline on these things but we'd hope to conclude it as soon as possible."

Arnold will remain in charge of the Australian under 23 squad, but football chiefs now want a big name manager to come in to guide the senior squad to World Cup glory in 2010.

"Graham's been aware that we've been conducting a global search," added Buckley.

"We've been very happy with his performance, we understand he's in a challenging situation and we think his preparation was very good.

"He's conducted himself well throughout the tournament."

Buckley said no decision had been made on who the replacement will be but former Rangers boss Dick Advocaat is tipped to be on a shortlist along with ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier.

Australia’s next game is against Argentina in September and the FFA are believed to be working towards making an appointment before the Melbourne match.

Buckley said: "We're conscious that we have a game scheduled but we want to get the decision right and make that as soon as possible.

"The search is still going on. It could take an indefinite period of time.

"I won't comment on anyone that we've spoken to in the past but at this point in time we don't have an agreement with anyone."

[Lilly Whites]

finally

graham arnold did not let us play our free flowing football game that guus did, he always tried stupid formations and did not get the best out of our team

[web]

He is an assistant, its all he will ever be.
FFA should have had someone more experienced in place for the Asian Cup.
Hopefully learn from these mistakes.

[Motley]

Agreed there should have been a big name coach in there from start of the acl. Arnold could hopefully be retained as an assistant but sack kosmina from the whole set up as keeping him will be our downfall.

[pires7]

On fox sports news it was said Iraq's successful Asian Cup coach Vieira has spoken to FFA officials about the job! He has many years experience of coaching in the regions of Asia so would bring a wealth of experience australia currently doesn't have about opponents and conditions.