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Arnold slams 'bull***t' claim

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28 June 2007 | 16:24 - David Lewis

Socceroos coach Graham Arnold has scoffed at a report that quotes him as admitting he is on the way out of the top job no matter what happens at the Asian Cup.

 

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The man who is auditioning for a long-term future at the helm of the national team said his comments to a Korean journalist where misconstrued.

“I intend to remain in the organisation (Football Federation Australia) after the Asian Cup either as head coach, assistant coach or in charge of the Olyroos,” he said from Singapore where Australia are fine-tuning their Asian Cup preparations.

“The comments attributed to me (by a Korean publication) are total bull***t, I don’t even want to react to it.”

“I am simply concentrating on trying to make us successful at the Asian Cup - it’s not a distraction and I’m not worried about it. It’s just something that’s totally wrong.”

The article quoted Arnold as saying FFA chairman Frank Lowy had informed him that he would be replaced after the Asian Cup, possibly by Dutchman Dick Advocaat.

But Arnold added: “Nothing has changed. If we’re successful we’ll see what success brings.”

“It’s just the words of somebody who has misunderstood what I said because he spoke poor English. That’s it.”

“All I said was that I didn’t know for sure what I’d be doing after the Asian Cup and that there was a possibility of a big name coming in.”

That remains a distinct possibility with the 43-year-old - who took the controls after the departure of Guus Hiddink last year - needing to guide the Socceroos to at least the last four of the Asian Cup to have any hope of holding on to the most cherished job in Australian football.

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