Wed Sep 25 03:06:34 UTC 2024: ## Socceroos Boss Graham Arnold Resigns After Doubting His Ability to Lead
**Sydney, Australia:** Graham Arnold, the outgoing coach of the Australian national men’s soccer team, the Socceroos, has revealed that a conversation with NRL coach Wayne Bennett led to his decision to step down.
Arnold, who has been in charge for six years, said he had been questioning his ability to get the best out of the team following their disappointing exit from the Asian Cup. He admitted that the team’s recent losses, including a 1-0 defeat to Bahrain and a 0-0 draw against Indonesia, had taken their toll.
“It would be nice to go on a new journey,” Arnold said, hinting at a future in coaching. “I never had any (offers) before the decision but I just need a few weeks off because for six years it’s been (work) every day.”
Arnold’s decision to resign echoes that of former Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou, who left his role in 2017 before the 2018 World Cup. Both coaches felt burnt out from the relentless demands of Australian football.
Bennett, a legendary rugby league coach, offered Arnold some tough but insightful advice. “The last thing he said to me was, ‘If you had a lemon and you squeezed the lemon, is there any juice left in it?’ I said, ‘No’,” Arnold recounted. “He said, ‘You’ve answered your own questions and all the best.'”
Arnold’s next move remains uncertain. The former Sydney FC boss has previously been linked to coaching positions in Major League Soccer in the USA, and the growing investment in Saudi Arabian football could also be a tempting prospect.
Tony Popovic has been appointed as Arnold’s successor and will lead the Socceroos in their continued World Cup qualification journey.
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