FFA Chairman Steven Lowy is going against the grain, saying Australia has “very good” coaching depth, despite the lack of local competition for the Socceroos coaching role.
One of the largest problems circulated in appointing a local successor to Bert van Marwijk, following the Socceroos' 2018 World Cup campaign, has been the dearth of successful Australian coaches.
While eventual-appointee Graham Arnold brings a wealth of success and experience, beyond the Sky Blues coach the cupboard began to seem quite bare. Without genuine competition for the Socceroos role, Arnold's appointment was always going to seem like a fait accompli.
Kevin Muscat was a potential candidate until his horror-start to the season with Melbourne Victory, yet still lacked a comprehensive track record, while Tony Popovic has been similarly inconsistent at club level, and always seemed a long-shot, based largely on his 2014 Asian Champions League triumph.
This problem has been previously attributed to the cost of FFA-run coaching badge courses, and the lack of professional opportunities caused by the delaying of A-League expansion.
Lowy, however, believes that Australia is in good stock for local coaches.
"I think if you look forward we’re in a very good position in the longer term for Australian coaches," Lowy said following Arnold's appointment.
"The ideal situation is to have an Australian coach with the qualifications, sometimes that isn’t the case so you have to look for a foreign coach.
"In this case, Arnie does and there's some depth in Australia behind him."
FFA CEO David Gallop spoke about the importance of Australian coaches being closely involved with the national team, who understand the Australian football "eco-system".
"We want someone who’s going to coach the Socceroos well and Arnie’s experience as a football coach makes him top of the criteria," Gallop said.
"It’s important to have someone who has interest in the whole eco-system of Australian football...the pathways. I think that stuff has been missing at times.
"(Arnold) knows how to manage a team of boys and men, and that's why he’s been chosen.
"Bert (van Marwijk) wasn’t looking for a long-term position. It was always been about a longer-term appointment after Russia."
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