Graham Arnold is currently the Head Coach of the Iraq National Team, where he led them to their first World Cup qualification in 40 years. He previously served as Head Coach of the Australia National Football Team (Socceroos), earning recognition for his leadership and success on the international stage.A former professional footballer from Sydney, he played for clubs including Sydney United and Northern Spirit, and also had a stint with NAC Breda in the Netherlands.
Graham’s coaching career began in 1998 when he took over as head coach of the Northern Spirit. He then moved on to coach the Central Coast Mariners, leading them to two A-League Grand Finals (winning one), as well as the 2011–12 A-League Premiership.
Graham became the head coach of Sydney FC in 2014. His appointment as head coach of Sydney FC marked a new chapter in the club's history. Under Graham’s leadership, Sydney FC became one of the most dominant teams in the A-League, with a strong focus on team tactics, discipline, and high levels of fitness. The team won two A-League Premierships, a Championship, and an FFA Cup. Graham also won the A-League's Coach of the Year award on three occasions.
In 2018, Graham was appointed as head coach of the Australian national team, and he has since led the team to success in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup and led the team to the round of 16 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He is known for his tactical acumen, motivational skills, and ability to develop young players. Arnold is also a proponent of attacking, possession-based football and is known for his emphasis on fitness and discipline in his teams.
