- Report suggests Tony Popovic will replace Graham Arnold
- Popovic was reportedly approached for a job in June.
- Graham Arnold has been in the top role since 2018
Former Melbourne Victory coach Tony Popovic is reportedly set to replace Graham Arnold as head coach of the Socceroos after the boss announced his unexpected departure last week.
A source close to the team, who did not wish to reveal his name, confirmed that Popovic will take charge of the national team. News Corp reports.
Reports suggest Popovic, who guided Victory to the grand final last season, was approached for the job in June and that has impacted his decision not to re-sign as Victory coach for next season.
On Friday, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said he was confident of making an appointment in the “next week or two” to succeed Arnold.
“We are already looking for a new coach,” he said.
“We know who is available and we will proceed quickly to appoint a permanent coach.”
With the Socceroos’ next World Cup qualifier against China in Adelaide on October 10, a caretaker coach is unlikely.
“We want a coach who is tactically astute,” Johnson added. “We also want a coach who understands the Australian mentality and our players.
Graham Arnold is about to leave the top job he has held since 2018
Tony Popovic will reportedly replace Arnold as national team coach.
‘As an organisation, we need to have confidence that the coach we hire can guide us through a complicated Asian qualification process (for the 2026 World Cup).
“We need to get this quote right.”
Arnold has been in talks with Football Australia over the past few weeks, outlining an exit strategy from a role he has held since 2018.
His departure comes after the Socceroos managed just one point from a possible six from their opening two World Cup third-round qualifying games against opponents they should have easily beaten.
Australia lost to Bahrain earlier this month and then drew 0-0 with Indonesia.
The FA released the following statement on Friday: ‘Graham Arnold, the longest-serving manager in Subway Socceroos history, will step down immediately as head coach.
‘Arnold informed Football Australia earlier this week of his decision to step down from the role, which was accepted by the Board, and Football Australia is now focused on appointing a new head coach ahead of the second window of the third round of the AFC Asian Qualifiers.’
The 61-year-old led the Socceroos to their best ever World Cup result as they narrowly lost to Argentina in the last 16 in Qatar.
In his six-year reign, the 61-year-old has overseen Australia’s best-ever World Cup finish and two quarter-final exits at the Asian Cup.
“Coaching the Socceroos has been the pinnacle of my career and a real honour,” Arnold said.
‘I’m incredibly proud of our achievements – from breaking records to fostering new talent and making history on the world stage.
‘After careful reflection, I believe it is time for new leadership to guide the team forward.
‘I have made the decision to step down in the best interests of the nation, the players and Football Australia.
“I have given absolutely everything I could to this role and am immensely proud of what I have accomplished during my tenure.”
