Football Australia insider reveals Tony Popovic set to be announced as Socceroos coach

Football Australia appear to have settled on the next coach of the Socceroos with former Perth Glory boss Tony Popovic set to take over the national team.

After Graham Arnold’s shock exit last week following the Socceroos’ disastrous start to the third part of their World Cup qualifying campaign Football Australia have moved quickly to secure his successor.

An insider has reportedly told News Corp Popovic will be announced as the Socceroos’ coach.

According to the report he was approached for the job back in June which impacted his decision not to re-sign as Melbourne Victory coach despite leading them to the A-League grand final last season.

Popovic led the Perth Glory for three seasons taking them to the premiership in the 2019 season, their first bit of silverware in the A-League era.

Following a short stint in Greece Popovic has been at the helm of the Victory since 2021.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson hinted on Friday, despite the sudden departure of Arnold, they were close to announcing their next coaching appointment.

“We are already in the market for a new coach,” he said.

“We know who’s available and we will move quickly to appointing a permanent coach.”

“As an organisation, we must have confidence the coach we hire can guide us through a complicated Asian qualifying process (for the 2026 World Cup).

“We’ve just got to get this appointment right.”

Popovic is no stranger to Asian football having led the Western Sydney Wanderers to the Asian Champion’s League title in 2014 to become the first Australian team to win the competition.

He had previously been in the running for the Socceroos job in 2013, receiving the backing of Tim Cahill before losing out to Ange Postecoglou.

The 51-year-old has been living in Croatia since departing the Victory but is said to be arriving back in Australia on Sunday and could be unvieled by the FA as early as Monday.

His first job will be to get Australia’s qualifying campaign back on track after taking just one point from their first two games when the Socceroos face China in Adelaide on October 10.