Arnie in the fan zone
HE does not officially take over as Socceroos coach until after the World Cup, but Graham Arnold is keeping a close eye on the players he will soon be leading.
Arnold’s national team appointment was confirmed in March, but the former Sydney FC boss has been in Russia for the past fortnight following the Socceroos.
He has attended the games in Kazan and Samara and was expected to be in the stands for this morning’s match against Peru in Sochi.
Arnold has declined to speak about the Socceroos while in Russia out of respect for the team and temporary coach Bert van Marwijk.
“I look forward to learning a lot from Bert from afar,” Arnold said in March.
Former Socceroo Mark Bosnich, who has been travelling with Arnold as part of the Fanatics tour, said his 54cap former teammate rarely switched off his football brain.
“I haven’t watched a game with him, but I’ve spent a bit of time with him here,” Bosnich said in Sochi yesterday.
“He’s a close friend. I’ve known him since I was 14.
“He’s more of a fan on this tour, but he’s always thinking about football. No one thinks about football more than him.
“When you haven’t got control over something, it’s like being on a ride at a fairground. It’s why you get so nervous.
“But it’s great for him to be here. Not only to have a look at the Australian team, which is important, but also the other teams and the trends that come out of the World Cup.”