Sydney FC boss Arnold appointed long-term coach of Australia's Socceroos

   CANBERRA, March 8 (Xinhua) -- The Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has appointed Sydney Football Club's (FC) Graham Arnold as head coach of the Socceroos following the 2018 World Cup.

   Arnold has coached both Sydney and the Central Coast Mariners to A-League championships with his current Sydney team considered one of the best in Australian domestic league history.

   The announcement marks the completion of a two-phase approach to replacing former coach Ange Postecoglou who resigned from the post after successfully qualifying for the World Cup.

   Arnold will succeed Dutchman Bert van Marwijk who was announced as the coach of the national team for the World Cup in Russia in January having previously taken his native Netherlands to the final in 2010.

   He has signed a four-year contract that carries through to the conclusion of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

   "The long term appointee did not have to be the best Australian; it had to be the best person when all factors were considered.  That person was Graham Arnold," FFA Chairman Steven Lowy said in a media release on Thursday.

   Arnold has considerable experience in the national team having previously served as assistant coach and acting head coach of the Socceroos as well as playing 56 games for the national team as a striker.

   "It is a very great honor to coach your national team," Arnold said.

   "It's a job I have always been interested in doing and I believe the timing is perfect for me.

   "It has been a tough decision to leave (Sydney FC) and I am determined to repay all of the support I have been given with more silverware in my final season. After today I won't be saying any more about the Socceroos until after the World Cup out of respect for Sydney FC and out of respect for Bert van Marwijk."

   Arnold's first major test as manager of the Socceroos will be at the 2019 Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Asian Cup in the United Arab Emirates; a tournament the Socceroos won on home soil in 2015.

   "Until then we are going to be focused on the World Cup and giving every support to Bert van Marwijk, the players and the support staff," FFA Chief Executive Officer (CEO) David Gallop said.  Enditem