Graham Arnold rejects Scottish Premiership to commit to Socceroos as generation next prepares to impress against Mexico ahead of next FIFA World Cup cycle
The next generation of Socceroos stars make their debut against Mexico this month and will be mentored by World Cup hero Graham Arnold after he rejected the Scottish Premier’s overtures to commit to Australia.
Arnold was the toast of Australian football in 2022 after guiding the Socceroos to two unprecedented victories in the FIFA World Cup group stage in Qatar before suffering an honorable 2-1 defeat to eventual champions Argentina.
Its shares rose on a global level, with SScottish club Hibernian the main contenders, but Arnold has turned them down, insisting he has more to achieve with the Socceroos.
“It was an honor that Hibs called me and offered me the job, but I have a job to do here,” Arnold said Friday.
The Socceroos have been given a good boost as coach Graham Arnold has re-signed to help Australia to the next FIFA World Cup
Arnold made Socceroos history with his young side in Qatar, with Australia taking two group stage wins for the first time in history
Aziz Behich had the chance to take on Argentina’s champion Lionel Messi at the World Cup and he will also feature against Mexico
“I will say I enjoy coaching our nation, I feel like I have a great job,” Arnold continued.
“For me it’s all about Mexico, preparing ourselves for it and developing and helping our guys in Australia.
“I have spoken to their owner and at the moment the timing is not right.
“I have a job to do here and I can fully focus on the Socceroos.”
Australia will begin its next World Cup and AFC Asian Cup cycles on September 10 with a friendly against World No. 12 Mexico in Dallas, United States.
Arnold has assembled a 23-man squad for the game, including five debutants and seasoned principals like goalkeeper Mat Ryan, Aziz Behich, Milos Degenek, Mitchell Duke, Jackson Irvine and Mathew Leckie.
Aaron Mooy will be a familiar face absent from Dallas after the Celtic star shocked Australian football with his retirement from football in June.
Cameron Burgess, Alessandro Circati, Thomas Glover, Ashley Maynard-Brewer and Sam Silvera are the new faces hoping to gain valuable time in the green and gold.
The Socceroos are looking for a new star midfielder after Aaron Mooy shocked many by retiring in June aged just 32
Martin Boyle was brutally ruled out of the World Cup after a cruciate ligament injury, but got a chance to impress against Mexico
Cameron Burgess was a surprising selection for the game against Mexico, but Arnold has had his eye on the talented defender for some time.
Places in the qualifying squads for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and the squad set to face the Asian Cup in 2024 are on the line and Graham hopes to get a glimpse into America’s next wave of talent.
Scottish-born Burgess is one Arnold is particularly keen to watch, after the Ipswich Town defender was ruled out of the recent clash with Argentina due to injury.
“I was impressed with his performance and we’ve probably been watching him for 12 months,” said Arnold.
And it’s clear he’s done well in those 12 months, so our connection and communication has been going on for well over 10 to 12 months now and he totally deserves the call.
“It’s fantastic to have another left-footed central defender, he’s 6 feet 9 inches tall, so he’s a big kid, physically strong. He is playing a very good level in the Championship with Ipswich.
“I think the players we’ve picked fully deserve to be selected and obviously create that depth,” said Arnold.
Martin Boyle has been recalled for the first time since suffering a cruciate ligament injury on the eve of last year’s World Cup.
Arnold hopes to get off to a good start with his new squad against Mexico, so he opted against A-League players still in pre-season
Arnold said he has been impressed with the winger’s form since his return from injury.
“You have to give the guy all the credit, he had the surgery in November last year and nine months later he’s back,” said Arnold.
“Most players take 12 months, so he did exceptionally well and got straight to work with Hibs.
“It’s great to have him back and if anyone deserves anything it’s Boyley because he got that injury just before the World Cup.”
Only two A-League players were selected in the final squad, but that had quite a bit to do with timing as the Australian domestic season doesn’t start until October 13.
“We are playing against a top 12 country in the world, we need players who are fit and have good games in their legs,” said Arnold.
“We’ve been talking about this for several years now about how it’s damaging our September and October windows… I have to call those players and tell them they haven’t been selected and it’s not their fault, it’s the national league and the structure we have.’