Christian Montegan 
Socceroos coach Graham Arnold during the World Cup qualification match against Indonesia. Photo: Aleksandar Jason/Subway Socceroos
Two headed goals by legendary forward Tim Cahill against Syria and a Mile Jedinak hattrick over Honduras scraped the Socceroos over the line to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. The ‘grey wiggle’ Andrew Redmayne was the pivotal hero who steered his country toward a famous night against Peru and helped Australia book a priceless ticket to Qatar.
What did both campaigns have in common? Nervy, nail-biting and at times grim football right up until the dreaded Intercontinental play-offs.
As the Socceroos squad divert back to their respective clubs, they leave Jakarta attached to the harrowing nightmare of picking up one point from a possible six against Bahrain (ranked 80) and Indonesia (ranked 133).
The unwanted cycle of the play-offs is a real possibility once again. But this time, Australia finds itself pitted in a period of heightened panic and uncertainty, and one man is in the firing line: Graham Arnold.
It was only two years ago before the Aussies qualified for the 2022 World Cup that Arnold was under intense scrutiny. He has never been a fan-favourite, going back to the beginning of his first tenure as coach 17 years ago.
“The doubters don’t bother me, it is these boys I care for, the game I care for,” an emotional Arnold said after the penalty shoot-out victory over Peru.
Yet his post-match press conference after the stalemate against Indonesia provided the impression he was blaming his players and not taking responsibility, saying: “I can only do so much. I can’t play the game for them.”
Risks must be taken into account when pondering such a massive decision in the context of Australia’s hopes of World Cup qualification.
Financially, sacking Arnold would make little sense given that he is still under contract until the 2026 World Cup concludes. Paying him out when there are limited options on the market would require unbelievable courage.
Is it worth pulling the pin after two games? Australia have a chance to turn things around at Adelaide Oval against China on October 10 before facing a red-hot Japan outfit that the Socceroos have failed to defeat since 2009. If Arnold fails to accumulate at least three points in the next window – it will become a hot topic more than ever before.
But then you analyse the performance of the squad. It does not look as though they are playing for the manager as they did in Qatar to equal their World Cup record of a round of 16 birth. They lack desire, inspiration and a plan moving forward.
The next international window commences next month, but should a change on the bench be considered before it’s too late?
Round Ball Australia highlights three potential coaching candidates who can replace Arnold and add value to pull the Socceroos out of a miserable slump.
1. Kevin Muscat
The former Socceroos captain is working wonders at Shanghai Port in the Chinese Super League (CSL), standing top of the league thanks to a sole defeat and 81 goals scored in 24 matches – averaging 3.38 goals per 90 minutes.
Muscat has the temperament, experience and edge about him to deliver his message across. This is a coach who has worked in different environments and new cultures – enhancing his understanding of Asian football.
Most importantly though, his attacking philosophy aligns perfectly with the talent pool Australia possesses at its disposal.
It is almost as if Arnold is holding certain players back with a leash, denying them of tapping into their full potential, while Muscat is the opposite.
He follows in Postecoglou’s footsteps, who Muscat worked under as an assistant coach at Melbourne Victory, playing in one way with the 4-3-3, which can be viewed as a negative and stubborn approach. It is his way or the highway, but it is an approach that has won Muscat domestic titles in Australia and Japan.
Muscat signed a two-year contract worth $6 million according to FTBL, as the 51-year-old nears the end of his first season with Shanghai Port on November 2.
That date falls 12 days before the Socceroos’ third international window of World Cup qualifiers, including a home tie at AAMI Park against Saudi Arabia. Perhaps that will be the most realistic time for the FA to poach him.
2. Giancarlo Italiano
An outside chance to be handed the top honour, Wellington Phoenix manager Giancarlo Italiano has been nothing short of a refreshing revelation.
The former Sydney FC National Premier League (NPL) assistant moved to the Nix as an assistant for four seasons before picking up from where Ufuk Talay left off, putting pen to paper on a two-year deal which made him the first A-League Men’s coach not to have had a professional player CV prior to management.
A key reason why Italiano should be closely monitored is his ability to adapt to various tactical tweaks and formations, depending on factors such as the opposition and travel.
The 41-year-old Sydneysider prefers a 4-3-2-1 set-up, but different experiments with a 4-4-2 and 4-3-3 last season with the Phoenix is an instant sign of a top manager who relies on more than plan A. He can make his team play possession football or grind out a result with a backs-against-the-wall performance.
He is the type of tactician who knows how to get the best out of his players, but there is every chance that the lack of training time in international football will hinder him by not having access to his players on a daily basis.
Some discussions from neutrals and fans on social media have suggested playing three at the back to avoid Alessandro Circati playing in his non-preferred position at right-back. At times, Italiano has executed a 3-4-2-1 formation to provide cover in the central areas of the pitch.
Transitioning from club football to international football is never easy. That being said, Italiano’s fresh ideas and x’s and o’s knowledge all while producing arguably the most exciting counter-attacking football in the A-League should at least warrant an interview.
3. Nick Montgomery
If foreign coaches such as Bert Van Marwijk and Holger Osiek in recent times can be offered the Socceroos coaching gig, then why not Nick Montgomery?
Against all odds, the 42-year-old guided the Central Coast Mariners to the unlikeliest of championships – creating a successful model behind the scenes.
That model involved consistent youth development, successfully carving out a way to plug inexperience with experienced veterans to construct a winning formula.
Talents such as Nestor Irankunda (18), Garang Kuol (19), Alessandro Circati (20) and Jordan Bos(21) could all reap the rewards from Montgomery’s system.
During his time at the Mariners, Montgomery implemented a compact 4-4-2 formation, but with the ball, it adapted to a 4-2-4 which saw the playmaker role advance as a second striker and provide freedom for the attacking wingers, in what possibly could benefit Irankunda.
What also cannot be dismissed is the Englishman’s relationship with former Mariners players Josh Nisbet, Sammy Silvera and Jacob Farrell. As new Salernitana signing Ajdin Hrustic acclimatises to his new club in Italy’s Serie B, Nisbet can push up in a more advanced role to support the designated number nine.
One average season at Hibernian was enough to part ways with the Scottish club last season, but that should not be enough to deter the FA.
Montgomery has a few months’ worth of experience working with Postecoglou at Tottenham as one of the assistant coaches, a precious learning venture that cannot be discredited.