FORMER Socceroos striker John Aloisi denies having had a lack of respect for Graham Arnold during the ex-Sydney FC mentor’s previous tenure as national team coach.

Arnold, who replaced Dutchman Bert van Marwijk as Socceroos coach after this year’s World Cup, spoke last week of his first, short-lived stint as national coach, which ended after Australia’s poor showing at the 2007 Asian Cup.

Expectations of Australia were high going into the tournament after their bold showing at the 2006 World Cup, where they reached the round of 16 under Dutch super coach Guus Hiddink.

The leadership group in 2006. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: News Limited

However, the Socceroos failed to fire on the Asian stage a year later under Arnold. They only survived the group stages via a superior goal difference to minnows Thailand before being eliminated by Japan in a penalty shootout.

Arnold last week said he had “learned from his mistakes” and that he “did not deserve to be (Socceroos) coach back then”.

“It was a job I inherited and which I did not really want … I can tell you that (Lucas) Neill, (John) Aloisi and those guys did not respect me at the time.”

The comments shocked current Brisbane Roar coach Aloisi.

“We respected Arnie,” Aloisi said.

“I found it surprising that he would say that.”

Graham Arnold will coach the Socceroos and Olyroos. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

However, Aloisi said the playing group was disappointed that Arnold had publicly questioned his players’ attitude and desire to be at the tournament after their 3-1 group loss Iraq in Bangkok.

“He upset the group when he said stuff like we would rather be our holidays,” said Aloisi, who was in the Socceroos’ leadership group.

“The leadership group spoke to Arnie after he said that and told him that he was wrong and that we weren’t happy that he said it.

“We always wanted to win when we were playing for our nation.”

Aloisi also said there was no conflict between Arnold and him during the tournament.

“I was on the bench for our first two games. Then after we lost to Iraq I started our last two matches. If there was any rift, I wouldn’t have been picked to start those games,” he said.

“I’m sure Arnie would have learnt a lot from that tournament.”

The Roar meet Arnold’s old club Sydney, now coached by Innisfail product Steve Corica, in a behind-closed-doors trial at Robina on Wednesday.