Following Graham Arnold’s decision to resign from his position as Subway Socceroos Head Coach, we examine the numbers behind his two spells in charge of the Australia men’s national team.
The 61-year-old was head coach of the Green and Gold between 2006 and 2007 before returning in 2018 and has recorded the most all-time wins (43) of any Socceroos coach in history (including penalty shootouts).
Arnie leaves a legacy which includes record-breaking achievements in FIFA World Cup™ performances, FIFA World Cup™ qualification campaigns, and his contributions to youth development and the strong team culture he cultivated. He is lauded for his ability to galvanise the team and the country during historic moments in Qatar.
Take a look at some of the facts and figures from his tenure.
72
Across his two stints at the helm, Graham Arnold took charge of 72 ‘A’ international matches, the most of any Socceroos head coach.
43
Including two penalty shootout wins, Arnie recorded 43 victories as boss of the Green and Gold, more than any other head coach in Socceroos history and two clear of the legendary Frank Arok.
11
Graham Arnold oversaw just 11 draws during his time in the hot seat.
18
Arnie experienced 18 losses while in the dugout – rarely defeated by more than two goals. His heaviest setback occurred in a 4-1 loss against then reigning FIFA World Cup Champions France at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.
64.91%
The former Sydney FC and Central Coast Mariners boss boasted a winning percentage of 64.91% during his second term. Of all Socceroos coaches who have managed more than five matches, Arnie’s win rate is the third best of all-time across ‘A’ Internationals (behind only Les Scheinflug, 68.42% in 19 matches, and Terry Venables, 65.21% in 23 matches).
11
The record-breaking number of consecutive wins we managed under Arnie in a single FIFA World Cup qualifying cycle.
Between September 2019 and October 2021, Arnold’s side went on an unprecedented 11-match winning streak during Qatar 2022 qualifiers.
The Aussies claimed their historic 11th victory after a 3-1 win over Oman before the invincible run ended the following game with a 2-1 defeat away to Japan. Only one match, a 5-0 win against Nepal in Canberra, was played on home soil during that stretch because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The previous milestone of most successive triumphs (10) was shared by Germany (Russia 2018), Spain (South Africa 2010), and Mexico (Germany 2006).
2
Arnie is the only coach in Subway Socceroos’ history to record two wins at a single FIFA World Cup Finals tournament. He achieved the impressive feat with 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark to guide the Aussies to the Round of 16 at Qatar 2022™ for the first time since 2006.
2
The number of clean sheets recorded in Qatar. Indeed, both Australia victories coincided with not conceding a goal. Never had the Socceroos registered two shutouts in a single FIFA World Cup and it was also our first clean sheet since the 1974 iteration when Rale Rasic’s side shared the spoils in a 0-0 draw against Chile.
11
The Subway Socceroos’ best-ever finish (11th) at a FIFA World Cup. Under Arnie’s stewardship, the team finished in 11th place at the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, following their narrow Round of 16 exit at the hands of eventual champions Argentina.
7
Graham Arnold’s biggest win by margin occurred courtesy of a 7-0 demolition of Bangladesh at Melbourne’s AAMI Park in November 2023. Previously, his largest win was a 5-0 victory against Nepal in Canberra in 2019.
4
Arnie oversaw four major tournaments in his role as Head Coach - the AFC Asian Cup™ on three occasions in 2007, 2019 and 2023 (played in January 2024) as well as the historic FIFA World Cup™ appearance in 2022.
48
Given a mandate to overhaul the squad and build some much needed depth following the retirements of several key internationals, Arnie has capped 48 new Socceroos in his second spell. The transitioning from the old guard to the new has put the foundations in place for the future success of the team.