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Socceroos legends in war of words as Robbie Slater rips into Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich for slamming Graham Arnold and saying coach should’ve been SACKED

  • Feud between Socceroo greats Robbie Slater and Craig Foster erupts again
  • Foster and Mark Bosnich were harsh critics of Socceroos coach Graham Arnold
  • But pair were singing Arnold’s praises after Australia made World Cup final 16 
  • Slater said hearing their comments about close friend Arnold made him squirm

A long-running feud between Socceroos legends has reignited after Australia’s famous World Cup triumph in Qatar.

The Socceroos have progressed to the final 16 of the tournament for just the second time ever after a 1-0 boilover against Denmark on Thursday morning.

The wild celebrations back home have been soured by a war of words as Socceroos legend Robbie Slater reignited his 25-year stoush with former teammate Craig Foster.

Slater ripped into Foster and fellow ex-teammate Mark Bosnich following their post-match analysis on SBS.

The pair were among Socceroos coach Graham Arnold’s harshest critics as Australia struggled to qualify for the World Cup and fell to a 4-1 loss against defending champions France in their opening game last week. 

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Foster and Bosnich had nothing but praise for the coach on Thursday as their former teammate unleashed on the pair and jumped to the defence of his close friend Arnold.

Robbie Slater (pictured with his daughter Tori) has slammed former Socceroos teammates Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich

Robbie Slater (pictured with his daughter Tori) has slammed former Socceroos teammates Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich

Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich (pictured on Thursday morning) quickly changed their tune about Socceroos coach Graham Arnold following Australia's 1-0 win

Craig Foster and Mark Bosnich (pictured on Thursday morning) quickly changed their tune about Socceroos coach Graham Arnold following Australia’s 1-0 win

‘It makes you squirm watching people (on TV) this morning who tried to get him sacked after the Saudi Arabia (World Cup qualifying) game,’ Foster told Yahoo Australia.

‘They’re now saying it’s a good decision they kept him but they were desperate to get him out. It’s unbelievable to hear what they’re saying now.’

‘Arnie’s written himself into history. No Australian coach has won two games at a World Cup, kept two consecutive clean sheets and had a team score in every game,’ he added.

The war of words was sparked by Foster and Bosnich singing Arnold’s praises on Thursday morning.

‘Graham Arnold’s at the centre of it. He did an amazing job today, amazing job in the past couple of games, he made all the right decisions against Tunisia and he’s done it again today,’ Foster said.

‘They had the plan for when they went 1-0 up today.’

Bosnich acknowledged he’d been one of Arnold’s harshest critics.

‘You know, during the qualifying period he did come under a lot of criticism, including from myself and, at that time, it wasn’t looking good for him that he got two points from a possible nine,’ he said.

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Graham Arnold (pictured celebrating with Socceroo Aaron Mooy) has defied his critics after Australia booked a spot in the final 16

Graham Arnold (pictured celebrating with Socceroo Aaron Mooy) has defied his critics after Australia booked a spot in the final 16

‘He stuck through it and a lot of credit must go as well to Football Australia and (chief executive) James Johnson and his board for sticking by Graham.

‘It would have been very easy to let him go that time. They did (stick by him) and kudos to all of them. It’s an absolutely fantastic victory. 

‘Massive congratulations to the Socceroos… minor miracle being there, proper miracle now… superb achievement.’

Less than an hour earlier, Foster gave a scathing analysis of the Socceroos’ first-half performance.

‘The first 26 minutes was awful, really,’ he said at halftime.

Craig Foster was critical of the Socceroos' first half against Denmark on Thursday

Craig Foster was critical of the Socceroos’ first half against Denmark on Thursday

His analysis of the Socceroos took a 180-degree turn post-match.

‘Australia has to be happy. What this group has done is truly historic,’ Foster later told Channel Nine’s Today Extra.

‘They have set a new benchmark and we can build on this for the next World Cup and beyond. Ultimately, no-one thinks Australia can win the FIFA World Cup except you and I.’

Foster has called on all state and territory leaders to set up more fan live sites around the country for Australia’s do or die clash against Argentina on Sunday morning.

The bad blood between Slater and Foster dates back to the 1997 Confederations Cup in Saudi Arabia when the then-teammates clashed over a pay dispute.

Slater claimed at the time Foster wanted more prize money and the pair have been at loggerheads ever since.

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