Coaching Conference Profile: Graham Arnold

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Football NSW is delighted to have Socceroos Coach Graham Arnold as one of the guest speakers on Day 2 of the 2024 Football NSW Coaching Conference.

Arnold played for Australia in 88 matches, including 56 A internationals and scored 33 goals, 19 at A level. 

Graham’s coaching career started in 1998, when he was appointed player/manager of the Northern Spirit FC. 

In 2000 he went to work as assistant coach of the Australian national team where he supported them through the 2006 FIFA World Cup campaign alongside Guus Hiddink. 

He continued in various national team capacities until 2010 when he assumed the role of manager at A-League club Central Coast Mariners, guiding them to two Premierships and a Championship.In May 2014 Graham was appointed to manager of Sydney FC, winning two A-League Premierships, a Championship, and an FFA Cup. In his time as an A-League coach, he won the Coach of the Year on three occasions.  

After the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Arnold took over as head coach of the Socceroos and U-23’s.In January 2020 he guided the U-23’s to the Tokyo Olympics, the Olyroos’ first Olympic Games in 12 years. In June 2022, he guided Australia to a fifth consecutive FIFA World Cup™ appearance and sixth overall after prevailing past Peru in a dramatic penalty shootout 5-4 in the inter-confederation play-off against Peru. 

Almost six months later, under Arnold’s tutelage, the Socceroos made history in Qatar – enjoying their most successful tournament to date. They advanced to the knockout stages for the second time and first since 2006 following back-to-back 1-0 wins against Tunisia and Denmark before falling agonisingly short against eventual World Champions Argentina 2-1. 

Indeed, Arnold is the first and only Australian-born Head Coach to reach the Round of 16, as well as the first to win multiple matches in the same FIFA World Cup tournament. Following the tournament, Arnold was named the best coach at the 2022 World Cup by French sports newspaper L’Équipe. 

In November 2023, Arnold broke the Australian men’s national team coaching record, surpassing Frank Farina for most ‘A’ Internationals as men’s national team Head Coach when he stepped into the technical area for the 59th occasion against Bangladesh at AAMI Park.

Early Bird tickets are currently on sale for the 2024 Coaching Conference, to be held at Valentine Sports Park on the 23rd and 24th of November.

After a fantastic return of the conference in 2023, this year’s event aims to build on that success with an impressive collection of local and international presenters.

Coaches can purchase a 1-day (5 CPD Hours) attendee pass or a 2-day weekend pass (10 CPD Hours).

Early Bird discount closes August 1st at 5:30pm. Over 80% of tickets already sold!

Buy Your Tickets Now!

If your club wishes to book a club package for your coaches, please contact christophera@footballnsw.com.au to organise.

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