MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Graham Arnold has resigned as Australia coach in a decision he said was "best for the nation" following a poor start to Asia's third phase of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
Arnold's resignation ended his six-year second stint in the job and followed heavy criticism after a shock 1-0 loss to Bahrain on home soil and a 0-0 draw away against Asian soccer minnows Indonesia.
Despite the shaky start in qualifying, the decision was a shock, coming a week after Football Australia chief executive James Johnson had strongly endorsed the 61-year-old as the man to put the team back on track.
"I said after our game against Indonesia that I had some decisions to make, and after deep reflection, my gut has told me it’s time for change," Arnold said in an FA statement.
"I've made the decision to resign based upon what’s best for the nation, the players and Football Australia.
"I've given absolutely everything I can to the role, and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved during my tenure."
Arnold advised FA earlier in the week of his decision and it was accepted by the board, Johnson said, adding that the governing body was looking to appoint a permanent replacement before the next World Cup qualifier at home to China in October.
"We have a match in less than three weeks' time so our plan is not to appoint an interim coach," Johnson told a news conference in Sydney.
"Our plan is to go into the market and appoint a permanent coach, a coach that we believe shares our vision and will get the best out of this team going into the World Cup in 2026."
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Johnson said he thought Arnold had "run out of gas" and said his replacement would have to understand both the Australian mentality as well as how to guide the Socceroos through the complicated Asian qualification process.
Arnold's departure marks the end of an era for a team that punched above its weight at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite wanting for world class players.
Fuelled by grit and determination, the Socceroos reached the last 16 and won two matches for the first time at a World Cup, making the players heroes and Arnold a household name in Australia.
The raspy-voiced coach known simply as "Arnie" tipped better things to come at the 2026 finals in North America.
Qatar, though, was to prove the high point for Arnold and his team, who have been a fading force in the region since winning the 2015 Asian Cup and exited in the quarter-finals of the continental championship under Arnold in 2019 and 2023.
While sturdy in defence, Australia have long lacked quality playmakers and forwards, and Arnold was largely unable to solve their struggles in breaking down weaker opponents and scoring goals.
It came to a head in recent weeks against Bahrain and Indonesia, with the world number 25 Socceroos embarrassed by the lowly-ranked nations and left sitting fifth in their six-team group.
The setbacks were hardly terminal for Australia's hopes of qualifying for a sixth straight World Cup in 2026 and Johnson was confident they would get there under new leadership.
"We believe in the players," he said. "We believe in the team. We have every bit of confidence that the team will go on and qualify for the World Cup in 2026."