‘It’s war’: Threats made over Socceroos job

Arnold remains contracted with the Sky Blues, despite reports the FFA has offered the veteran A-League coach the vacant Socceroos coaching job of leading Australia at the World Cup in Russia next year.

Fox Sports News reported on Wednesday night Arnold has been offered the job Ange Postecoglou walked away from following Australia’s marathon World Cup qualification campaign.

Arnold on Thursday denied he has been offered the Socceroos job.

However, the initial reports grew legs on Friday with follow-up reports indicating Sydney FC has officially warned the FFA to stay away from Arnold.

Fox Sports News’ Daniel Garb reported Sydney is set to go to war with the FFA to hold onto Arnold, despite the coach reportedly having a clause in his contract that would allow him to immediately take-up the Socceroos job.

It comes with Sydney FC and fellow A-League clubs in an open conflict with the FFA over the executive structure of football in Australia.

FFA chairman Stephen Lowy failed in his attempt to push through FFA congressional reform at an Extraordinary General Meeting which would have allowed the A-League clubs greater voting power, but would still have given the Lowy administration an overwhelming majority in the new look congress.

Arnold and the Socceroos job are now caught in the middle of that feud, Garb reports.

“I can reveal the FFA has received a letter from Sydney FC telling the organisation to ‘stay away from Graham Arnold,’” Garb said.

“(It says) Do not approach him, he is a contracted man and we are instructing you to stay away from our head coach,” Garb said.

“I don’t believe there is any contractual obligation in that letter that can stop the FFA from approaching Graham Arnold officially.”

He said Sydney FC accepts Arnold’s contract clause allows him to walk, but they plan to make it as difficult as possible for the FFA to get their man.

“There’s a war between the FFA and the clubs and Sydney FC are a major player in that,” he said.

“Things aren’t all too well between Sydney FC and the FFA and that is playing a part in this.

“But Sydney FC are going to make it very hard for the FFA, telling them to stay away from Graham Arnold.

“We understand there have been talks, he is the front runner but they are surveying options overseas. More news has also come in about Tony Popovic, but in terms of local options Arnold is very much the front runner.

“They do want him, the FFA, and I understand he would take the job if they offer it to him but Sydney FC are certainly going to stand in his way.

“If Sydney FC can have it their way, they don’t want to lose Graham Arnold at all. They do understand that the clause in his contract means he can go.”

The FFA’s expert panel to find the next coach of the Socceroos only just started defining the job criteria for Ange Postecoglou’s successor.

The FFA has reportedly claimed it only plans to interview applicants in January.

Arnold yesterday dismissed reports he’s already been offered the job.

“There’s nothing been offered, so I don’t even think about that,” Arnold said on Thursday.

“Nothing has changed for me from last week, everything is exactly the same.

“It’s obviously flattering to be considered for the national team as a proud Australian, but I have a contract with Sydney FC, I believe we’re doing well but we need to do greater than we are at the moment.”

— with AAP