Australia’s number one and Premier League goalkeeper Mat Ryan has endorsed the coaching credentials of Graham Arnold as the search continues for the next Caltex Socceroos coach.
Former Caltex Socceroos legends Mark Bresciano, Stan Lazaridis and Mark Schwarzer are among a selection panel that will identify a coach to lead Australia to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
And Arnold is reportedly one of the candidates to take the reins.
The Sydney FC boss has enjoyed some tremendous success in the Hyundai A-League in recent years, guiding Central Coast Mariners to the 2013 title, while he’s won all three major trophies with the Sky Blues in 2017.
Arnold also gave Ryan his professional debut in 2010 and the Brighton custodian has backed “Arnie” to do a great job for the national team if he was to get the job.
“He’s someone I have a lot of respect for and someone I have had a lot of experience with and great times with,” the Brighton and Hove Albion gloveman told Omnisport.
“He’s proven time and time again he’s a successful coach. He’s got plenty of trophies in his cabinet.
“If it’s meant to be that he is the coach, he’s definitely someone I’d love to be representing Australia under. Anything can happen in football.
“If Arnie took over then I think he’d do a great job for our country.”
Ryan is expected to be first-choice at his second straight FIFA World Cup after former boss Ange Postecoglou entrusted him with the number one position as a 22-year-old in Brazil in 2014.
While confident the team can adapt to whatever is asked of them, the 41-time international hopes Postecoglou’s attack-minded legacy will last into a new era.
“I was very much into his philosophy of not fearing any opposition, proving that Australia is more than just a hard-working team that fights to the end,” Ryan said.
"He wanted to change the perception that Australia isn't a football nation, that we can play attractive football.
“He didn't fear any opposition, whether it was Tajikistan or Kyrgyzstan, or Germany or Holland, we went in with a similar approach, not changing philosophy. Fear factor was evident under Ange, no excuses."