Tony Popovic set to be confirmed as new Socceroos coach

Tony Popovic has won the race to become the next coach of the Socceroos, with his appointment set to be officially confirmed by Football Australia as early as Monday.

Less than three days after Graham Arnold’s decision to step down from the job was publicised, the federation has reached an agreement with the former Western Sydney Wanderers, Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory boss, according to multiple sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the confidential nature of the negotiations. Football Australia declined to comment.

Tony Popovic is set to become the next coach of the Socceroos. Credit: Getty

Capped 58 times for Australia as a player, Popovic has emerged during the past decade as one of Australia’s top coaches, with his signature achievement being the Wanderers’ AFC Champions League triumph in 2014.

He also won the A-League premiership with the Wanderers in 2012-13, the Glory in 2018-19, and the Australia Cup with Victory in 2021, guiding all three teams to grand final defeats. In between, Popovic spent time at second-tier Greek outfit Xanthi FC – who were owned by Greek-Australian alleged fraudster Bill Papas – and, before that, Turkish Süper Lig club Karabükspor, where his contract was terminated after just nine games.

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