With Graham Arnold set to break the record for most Subway Socceroos 'A' international games coached on Thursday against Bangladesh, we look back at some of his highlights in the dugout.
Arnold has experienced two separate spells with the national team as a head coach and is somewhat synonymous with the Socceroos fabric both as a player and now manager, and the values and culture he has instilled - famously coining the term 'Aussie DNA' last year.
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The 60-year-old has never been one to shy away from the honour and immense pride that comes with leading the Green and Gold and it is that undeniable passion and belief imparted on the squad which has the team heading in an upward trajectory off the back of the team's most successful performance at a FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.
The optimism around the squad has never been higher as an abundance of players, possessing lots of potential, are in or around the side making for an exciting time.
And on Thursday night at AAMI Park, the Aussies are again in action where Arnold will surpass friend and former teammate and colleague in Frank Farina.
After representing the Socceroos as a player between 1985 and 1997, earning 56 'A' caps while scoring 19 goals, Arnold ventured into coaching and from 2000 to 2006 served as an assistant coach to both Farina and Guus Hiddink.
Following the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Arnold took over on an interim basis until 2007, while also looking after the Subway Olyroos and in charge at the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics. He remained an assistant to Pim Verbeek before heading into club football, enjoying immense success with the Central Coast Mariners and Sydney FC.
Arnold returned to the Socceroos in 2018 after the World Cup in Russia and also took control of the Olyroos and led the squad to the Tokyo Summer Olympics.
Here is a timeline of some of his milestones with the Subway Socceroos.
2006
Appointed interim head coach and records a 2-0 win over Kuwait in AFC Asian Cup™ Qualifying in his first game.
2007
Reached the knockout stages of the AFC Asian Cup™.
2018
Claimed a 4-0 victory over Kuwait in his first match back in charge.
2019
Reached the Quarter finals of the AFC Asian Cup™.
2021
Became the first manager to win 11 consecutive FIFA World Cup™ Qualifying matches.
2022
- Secured Australia's qualification to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ after dramatic penalty shootout win over Peru.
- Guided Australia to the knockout stages for just the second time, on the back our most successful campaign after notching two wins.
- Recorded Australia's highest-ever finish (11th) at a FIFA World Cup™.
- First Australian-born head coach to reach the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup™.
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2023
Clinched the Soccer Ashes trophy after defeating New Zealand 2-0 in London.
Other achievements
- Currently boasts a 63% win rate during his second tenure at the helm.
- Second most wins including penalty shootouts of any Socceroos manager.
FIFA WORLD CUP 2026™ SECOND ROUND ASIAN QUALIFIERS:
Subway Socceroos v Bangladesh
Thursday, 16 November 2023
AAMI Park, Melbourne
Kick-off: 8.00pm AEDT
Tickets: via Ticketek
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+
Palestine v Subway Socceroos
Tuesday, 21 November 2023 (Local) | Wednesday, 22 November 2023 (AEDT)
Jaber Al-Ahmed International Stadium, Kuwait
Kick-off: 5pm Local, 1am AEDT
Broadcast: Network 10 and Paramount+