New-age Arnie impresses former Mariner

THE transformation of Graham Arnold from stressed-out coach to a confident, positive strategist has not been missed by Socceroos star Mat Ryan.

The Australian goalkeeper got his professional breakthrough at the Central Coast Mariners under Arnold as an 18year-old in 2010.

Since then, Ryan has risen to become Australia’s No.1 and is the first-choice goalkeeper for English Premier League club Brighton.

Having been reunited with Arnold at the Socceroos, Ryan says it’s obvious how much has changed from the coach he knew as a teenager.

“It’s always well known that he wanted a good group that always got along well and had a laugh and a joke together, but he never used to make reference to it as often as what he does now,” Ryan said. “He’s constantly always going back to the idea of doing everything with a smile and enjoying what we’re doing, not doubting ourselves.

“That was one thing when I had him at the Mariners which perhaps he did a little bit more of in terms of having doubt or being worried that something wasn’t going to work and stressing a little over that.”

Ryan said that open ambition was refreshing and, he hopes, a key to success in the Arnold era.

“There’s no point being a footballer if you’re not going to enjoy what you’re doing,” Ryan said. “Hopefully making that little change or little instruction that he wants us to speak in that way is another little detail for the team which is going to help make us the most successful Socceroos team ever.”