It would’ve been tougher for anyone else but Bert van Marwijk to lead the Socceroos to Russia, according to Graham Arnold.
Football Federation Australia on Thursday appointed Van Marwijk as the man to lead Australia to this year’s World Cup following a two-month search for Ange Postecoglu’s successor.
Van Marwijk has previously led Netherlands to the 2010 World Cup final, and was recently in charge of Saudi Arabia, who beat the Socceroos to second place in the Asian qualifying group.
“Bert is a fantastic appointment,” Arnold said on Wednesday.
“It’s an appointment that comes with a lot of World Cup knowledge, making the final with the Dutch side, qualifying with Saudi Arabia.
“But also knowing the Australian team inside out from playing against us twice in this campaign. When you do your homework as a coach, you don’t just watch one game before.
“You’re watching 4-5 games before you actually play them. So no doubt his knowledge is very high on our team and I think it’s a great appointment.”
Sydney FC coach Arnold was among the potential candidates for the position, however he ruled himself out on Monday.
He said van Marwijk would be aided by the capable Socceroos coaching team.
“Let’s not forget we’ve got a great staff that was in and around Ange Postecoglou and those staff are still there except for one.
“Ante Milicic who served so well alongside Ange for 20-odd games for four years will have huge intel for Bert. So the knowledge will be high and as I said, it’s a great appointment.”
Questions remain on who will coach the national team after the World Cup, with Arnold only guaranteeing his post at the Sky Blues until the end of the current A-League season.
He has one season remaining on his current deal after signing a two-year extension last year, and re-iterated his desire to one day hold the national post.
Arnold believed FFA will again be on the lookout for a long-term coach after the World Cup.
“That’s when they’ll go through another process … of course I’m a very proud Australian and I do feel that it’s a job that any coach would strive to do and I’m no different to that,” he said.
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