‘Everyone knows better’: Aussie bosses defend under-fire coach

Tony Popovic has been copping a hammering from Socceroos fans and pundits alike after the side were bundled out of the FIFA World Cup against Egypt.

However, the under-fire coach has the full support of Football Australia bosses.

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Popovic left many including Mark Bosnich and Robbie Slater surprised when he subbed off goalkeeper Patrick Beach in the final moments of extra time, bringing veteran and captain Mat Ryan off the bench for a penalty shootout.

The change didn’t pan out as planned, with Ryan failing to make a save after not playing a minute throughout the tournament before the round of 32.

Calls have been made for Popovic - who only just signed a contract extension through next year’s Asian Cup - to be ousted from the head coaching role, but that doesn’t appear to be on the cards any time soon.

“Every fan believes [they are] a great national coach and every fan will think about what can be done better, but the coaching staff, and Tony Popovic, are always in the best place to judge in that moment what is needed for the team,” FA chief executive Martin Kugeler told The Sydney Morning Herald.

“In hindsight, everyone always knows better, but you have to make those calls based on what you have seen in training.

“Tony Popovic absolutely has our confidence.”

The other big call during the shootout came when teenage defender Lucas Herrington stepped up to the spot and sent hit attempt into the crossbar.

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The 18-year-old received widespread support, including from Zlatan Ibrahimovic, but the question marks were directed towards coach Popovic.

FA director of football Heather Garriock said there was no issue with Herrington being selected to take the penalty so early in his career.

“The tournament that Herrington played was incredible,” she said.

“He’s cool, calm, collected. I know that he’s been one of the top penalty takers [in training] ... age shouldn’t come into it.

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“If we look at a young [Matildas star] Kyah Simon in 2010, she converted the penalty, she was a hero. If Lucas converted, he would have been a hero too.

“He’s only going to grow from this journey.”

Popovic took over the men’s side in 2024 when he replaced Graham Arnold.

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