Ex-Socceroos boss Graham Arnold reveals the REAL reason he quit: ‘I couldn’t lie to the players anymore’

Graham Arnold has revealed the actual reason behind his decision to step down as Socceroos boss in September – and why he is targeting a return to professional coaching.

Arnold, 61, felt he was ‘lying to the players’ as his enthusiasm rapidly diminished, and was quick to stress he moved on for the good of the national team after a poor start to the 2026 World Cup qualifying campaign.

A shock 1-0 to Bahrain on the Gold Coast was followed up by an unacceptable 0-0 draw with minnows Indonesia last month – and Arnold knew the knives would be out. 

‘I’m an honest person and I had to be honest with myself,’ he told News Corp.

‘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.

‘If you don’t have that passion, love and fight, then [find] someone can do better.’

Within days of quitting, Arnold was replaced by Tony Popovic, who has since guided Australia to a 3-1 win over China PR and a credible 1-1 draw away against Japan to get the qualifying campaign back on track. 

Arnold – who is comfortably the Socceroos’ most successful coach with an impressive winning record of 68 per cent – also confirmed he didn’t receive a payout from Football Australia once he departed.

Arnold felt he was ‘lying to the players’ as his enthusiasm as the Socceroos’ head coach diminished (pictured, during the eventual 0-0 draw with football minnows Indonesia)

All that lobbed in Arnold’s bank account was holiday pay he was owed.

In his six-year reign, Arnold – who also won A-League titles with the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC – steered Australia to the round of 16 at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, losing to eventual winners Argentina.

The significant achievement is Arnold’s crowning glory as a coach – but don’t expect to see him retire from the world game just yet.

A recent conversation with Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou provided the reassurance Arnold was craving.

‘Aussie Ange’ stressed patience is key, with Arnold open to coaching another nation to a World Cup or even at club level in Asia.

On Friday night, Arnold will again be barking instructions from the sideline at Commbank Stadium in Parramatta, when he coaches a Tim Cahill XI in an exhibition match versus a team assembled by Brazilian superstar Ronaldinho.

He also would love to be involved in the inner-sanctum of an NRL club, adamant his football coaching philosophies could cross over.

‘It’s about how you get the best out of people,’ Arnold said. ‘Communication is key.’