The former boss of Socceroos, Graham Arnold, takes a new position after having moved away from Australia Post

Former Patham Arnold de Socceroos will seek to reach the final of another World Cup after having taken the reins as Iraq coach.

Sydneysider, 61 years old, who guided his national team towards the last 16 of the world centerpiece in 2022, was appointed head coach of the Iraqis on Friday and will be thrown directly to save their quest for the World Cup in difficulty.

Arnold, who left employment in Australia in September after six years of responsibility, has difficult work to bring Iraq to 2026 competition in North America with the team third in group B of Asian qualifications.

They face two huge games against the leaders of South Korea in Bassra on June 5 and the Jordan for second place in Amman five days later.

If they win the two games, Iraq would win a qualification for the World Cup for the first time since their beginnings in 1986, but it is a major challenge with the Spanish predecessor of Arnold, Jesus Casas, having been dismissed half of his four-year contract in March after a 2-1 calamitous defeat against Palestine.

This will be Arnold’s first job in football since he directed the Socceroos through the group’s group phases, to lose a loved one with possible Argentina champions in the last 16.

Arnold will now manage Iraq of Asian rivals and will try to imitate the success he had with Australia

But he left the post after Australia took a disappointing start to the third type of qualification for the 2026 finals.

Now he has a second chance to go to the Big Show with a third or fourth place in the group phase still offering Arnold the chance to pass Iraq via the fourth stage of Asian qualifications.

Recently, Arnold helped South Sydney Kickers, including Latrell Mitchell, in the LNR.

Meanwhile, Football Australia is looking for a new head of management after James Johnson announced his resignation from the role that played in some of the most turbulent and dramatic periods in the recent history of sport.

Johnson informed the staff of his decision to move away from the first job after five years at the bar at a meeting on Thursday.

His decision to resign a few weeks before the annual general assembly of the director organ on May 23 will raise the eyebrows, but the FA sources insisted that the moment was simply faster.

“As a person who is extremely passionate about Australian football, this decision is not easy, but I think the time has come to resign,” Johnson said in a statement.

“I want to thank football Australia Board and everyone in the Australian football community for their support during my mandate.”

The FA named the former player of Matildas Heather Garrick as an interim general manager, with Johnson to finish a transfer period after the Socceroos World Cup qualification window in June.