THE MAN MOST LIKELY TO COACH AUSTRALIA NOW HAS IT ALL TO PROVE

THE lack of surprise when Graham Arnold walked into the room to be unveiled as the Socceroos coach from after the World Cup was like Santa making a guest appearance at a work Christmas party.

The similarities may not end there, as Arnold and Santa both know there are plenty of nonbelievers out there.

But when FFA CEO David Gallop said Arnold was “top of the pile” for the long-term appointment, he wasn’t lying.

Among Australian candidates, no one comes close to Arnold for experience and success. He has won two A-League titles and two Premier’s Plates, got to two more grand finals, and has a decade’s experience in the national teams.

His temperament is more solid than in 2007, when the discomfort of being labelled “interim coach” was palpable.

Arnold has earned the right to coach his country, just as Ange Postecoglou had in 2013. He knows the only answer to the critics is results, in the Asian Cup in January and the World Cup qualifiers. Arnold’s belief in promoting young Australians is clear. It’s hard to imagine a foreign appointee starting with that mindset.

Pim Verbeek was a thoroughly decent, urbane individual but he didn’t advance Australian football. Holger Osieck slammed it into reverse. It was joked yesterday that things will never again be as optimistic as the first moments after Arnold’s appointment — they never are.

But he has earned the right to take Australia forward. What happens from then on is up to him.