Graham Arnold hate squad mobilises after latest Socceroos shocker
By the time Socceroos coach Graham Arnold's plane touches down from Saudi Arabia, he's likely to be unemployed.
Not officially – Football Australia is not known for quick decisions – but sooner rather than later.
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The #ArnoldOut mob will get its way and the Socceroos boss will be gone after a qualifying campaign that has been in freefall, netting just one win among two losses and four draws in the last seven matches.
Tuesday night's 1-0 defeat to Saudi Arabia looks to be Arnold's last in charge as FA search for a new voice to take on the imposing task of getting us to the 2022 World Cup.
Australia must beat the UAE in a one-off match in Doha in June before repeating the dose against formidable South American opponent Peru in another winner-takes-all game.
Tony Popovic is the man being positioned to take a poisoned chalice laced with an antidote of staying on for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.
If not, quick-fix merchants are calling on FA to pursue Marcelo Bielsa in the hope the Argentinian can 'do a Guus' and navigate a way to Qatar.
No-one wants to be sacked – particularly a proud man like Arnold - but there might be some sort of relief if/when the axe does fall.
Graham Arnold batting against tide of injuries and illness
The 58-year-old is showing the strain of fighting with one hand tied behind his back, unable to field his best side at the most crucial time.
The Socceroos have used a staggering 45 players during the qualifying process as Covid and injury hit hard, many of them called in out of necessity rather than ability.
The Socceroos' depth is ankle high, a far cry from the days where Australians were sprinkled liberally through the best leagues in the world.
The system is broken and Arnold will have plenty to say on it when the time is right.
For now the coach fights on, but it appears a losing battle.
Even good mate and Arnold confidante Robbie Slater concedes the writing is on the wall.
"There are two distinct camps with Arnie. There's the Arnie haters and there's the Arnie supporters," he told Yahoo Sport Australia.
"When Arnie talks about the reasons we haven’t directly qualified, his supporters see it as good reason and the haters see it as excuses.
"They're after him and can smell blood in the water. It looks like they'll get their way because there's been little support from the FA.
"That probably tells you everything you need to know."
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