Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold has praised the appointment of Dutchman Bert Van Marwijk as the new Socceroos coach while not ruling out replacing him after the 2018 World Cup in Russia.
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The 65-year-old former coach of The Netherlands and Saudi Arabia is the man best placed to lead the Socceroos to Russia despite limited preparation and games, says Arnold, due to his wealth of experience in international football and major tournaments.
"Bert is a fantastic appointment," Arnold said. "His appointment comes with a lot of World Cup knowledge, making the final with the Dutch side, qualifying with Saudi Arabia, also knowing the Australian team, the Socceroos, inside out from playing against us twice in this campaign."
Arnold remains the man most likely to become the long-term coach of Australia and is set to be formally interviewed in the coming months. Arnold will remain with Sydney FC until the end of the A-League season but will not commit to staying beyond that and fulfilling the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues.
"I've got a commitment to the players, to the club and I am here definitely until the end of the season," Arnold said. "Of course, I'm a very proud Australian. I feel it [Socceroos position] is a job that any coach would strive to do and I'm no different to that."
Arnold has a get-out clause in his contract with the Sky Blues if he provides several months' notice period, but it is understood he has not triggered that yet. He has attracted interest from several overseas clubs and countries, but reiterated his immediate future lies with Sydney FC during a meeting with the club's hierarchy on Monday.
The 54-year-old coach made no secret of his desire to one day lead Australia but says the next step in his career will be made for his family. That means salary, length of contract, lifestyle and location could take precedence over any position on offer.
"It's also about my family, I think about my family first and foremost and making sure that they'll be all right and we'll be alright together," Arnold said.