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THE list of Australian coaches who've gone overseas is a short one, and yet it's a sign of the growing respect in which the game here is held, that clubs to the north are starting to reach out and take a punt on the best this country has to offer.
Nathan Hall (Abahani Ltd, Bangladesh), Steve Darby (Kelantan, Malaysia) and Phil Stubbins (Bangkok Glass, Thailand), Scott O'Donell (AIFF Instructor, India), and Arthur Papas (Dempo, India) are all currently employed in the world's most populous region.
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That Graham Arnold is next cab off the rank should be no surprise. Arnold probably feels it's now or never after taking the Central Coast Mariners to their maiden championship last year - and subsequently being overlooked for the job he really coveted, in favour of Ange Postecoglou.
Arnold is ready - of that there is no doubt. His work with youngsters in particular has drawn huge admiration, and won't have gone unnoticed among Asian clubs, especially those who don't necessarily have the financial clout to compete with the big guns.
Working on a limited budget at the Mariners meant Arnold's coaching skills have been tested to the max - and the fact that he has been able to keep the smallest outfit in the league competitive - despite a huge turnover in personnel - has not only drawn plaudits, but also kept the club afloat in difficult economic times, via the transfer fees they have been able to demand.
Now, he is ready to spread his wings.
Arnold will feel he has learned plenty from some of the world's best coaches - Guus Hiddink being the standout. But it is often forgotten that he also played under the likes of Terry Venables, Eddie Thomson, Wim Rijsbergen (part of the Dutch 1974 World Cup squad) and, a little closer to home, Vedran Rozic at Sydney United.
At 50, Arnold is no longer a "young" and up and coming coach. He is at the peak of his career, and having turned down both Sydney FC, and - allegedly - Sheffield United in recent years, this latest approach was probably one he could ignore no longer.
Coach Graham Arnold during his Socceroos days. Source: News Limited
Arnold has had tough times to go with his successes in almost equal measure. The Asian Cup of 2007 (when he was interim Socceroos coach), was probably his nadir, although the Olympics of 2008 ran it close.
Like Postecoglou (who came under heavy fire for his results with the Australian junior teams), Arnold could easily have slipped off the radar - but the Mariners have proven to be his second chance, and one he grabbed with both hands.
His succession is in safe hands at Bluetongue Stadium. Phil Moss has been with Arnold every step of the way, and knows the club - and the job - inside out. Unless owner Mike Charlesworth goes for the unlikely option of an outsider, the Mariners will continue to chug along without too much disruption.
Could Arnie become the first Australian to coach in a major league in Europe? It's possible. He certainly has the ability, with his only flaw (in my opinion), a tendency to play the blame game, either with officials or the media when the going gets tough.
This will be his acid test in what is described as a "major" Asian league. One which, if he succeeds, offers him the chance to become a real trailblazer. I for one, hope he passes with flying colours.
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