As he prepares to lead the Socceroos for a record 59th senior international, Graham Arnold insists his expectations are higher than ever.
Australia's World Cup qualifying campaign opener against Bangladesh at AAMI Park next Thursday will mark a special milestone for the experienced coach.
He is currently level with former boss Frank Farina for Socceroos longevity, but will stand alone after that game.
Arnold, senior coach since 2018, was pensive about the milestone, reminiscing on his ill-fated stint as interim boss between 2006 and 2007.
"I look at it two ways," he said on Thursday.
"One way is I'd rather, in a lot of ways, not have the interim period, but the interim period that I did have was probably the best lessons I learned in coaching.
"It'll be a fantastic honour and to take over from Frankie, he's a great mate of mine, is a real honour.
"But three points is all that I care about, and the boys."
Arnold was under pressure, and serious heat at times, during the last World Cup qualification cycle.
But after securing a place in Qatar, Arnold brilliantly steered the Socceroos to the round of 16.
He has been a noticeably more relaxed figure since, but stressed his expectations remain as high as ever.
"Sometimes it's harder, too," he said.
"Because you realise that after you've achieved something special you've got to keep on achieving.You don't want to drop those standards and those goals.
"The most important thing for me is the boys get in here fit on Monday and we get two training sessions.
"We've got a great culture within the Socceroos set up and the boys are ready to perform and get the job done for the nation."
Arnold will be without one of his regular offsiders for this window, after assistant Ufuk Talay departed to take up the head coach role at Sydney FC, replacing Steve Corica.
"I have to say it was probably quite a surprise that so early in the A-League season two managers (Corica and Melbourne City's Rado Vidosic) have been moved on," he said.
"Uffie was fantastic with us but I always knew that his main goal was to get back to managing and coaching, so I accept that.
"Brad Maloney, the Joeys coach, will come in and take that role for this camp but further down the track I'll be looking for someone to help."
