Socceroos The Socceroos Thread - The Boss Tony Popovic

[krakouers]

He didn't want the job

Well he still is employed, give it time

 

[Hamingja]

I like Popovic. So no complaints about the appointment per se, but it's disheartening that the announcement is made 3 days after Arnold resigned.

That tells me there was probably was no proper process involved. Just get who you can, and Tony was available.

My read into it would be that Arnold didn't really resign. They just allowed him to save face.

Arnold was linked to club roles in Scotland previously, Hearts have just sacked their manager, interesting to see if he pops up there.

 

[RedStarUncle]

Popovic the obvious choice and I think it's a right decision to rush him in for the two October games rather than put an interim coach in place to try and broaden the search.

Say the interim coach draws with China and gets pumped by Japan... you've now got 2 points from 4 games out of 10 in this phase of qualifiers - your broadened net at that point probably doesn't have anyone interested in trying to salvage the campaign and get into the playoffs anyway.

At least now Popa has 8 games in the group knowing it's his campaign and his World Cup if he makes it. And he'd be the top obvious local option anyway (aside from Muscat who apparently is building towards a European career not coaching Australia). So whether or not there had already been discussion with him - there's a fair logic towards making this appointment and making it quickly.




Would love to see something similar from Popovic as how he had Perth Glory playing those few years ago. A back 3 (Rowles-Souttar-Circati) with less defensive demand on the wingbacks which would suit Atkinson, Bos, Behich, etc. and narrow the forward-line so your likes of Boyle, Mabil, Irankunda, etc. are running at goal rather than out towards the corner-flag. Was solid and efficient when Glory played that way and suits the current players well - although I think at Victory he didn't play this way instead it was more a 4-2-3-1 with '4-2-' bit being a fairly defensive block?

 

[Munga]

The cleanout begins!

 

[db26]

Need some new blood and fresh ideas to many been comfortable.

 

[GOALden Hawk]

Circati did his ACL at training last night. Absolutely gutted for him just when establishing himself at a big club.

Huge blow for us as well.

 

[RedStarUncle]

The cleanout begins!

Hayden Foxe and Paul Okon in as assistants.

Frank Juric the new GK coach.

 

[CakeEater]

Hayden Foxe and Paul Okon in as assistants.

Frank Juric the new GK coach.

Foxe follows him everywhere

 

[giggler99]

 

[db26]

Good to see some former players there we have looked sluggish and uninspiring.

 

[gaskin]

Lol. Geria and Velupillay. The biggest surprise is that he didn't pick his kids.

 

[giggler99]

Lol. Geria and Velupillay. The biggest surprise is that he didn't pick his kids.

Geria should have been called up from the start of the campaign he’ll provide some freshness to the squad. It will be a good experience for Velupillay to be part of the squad has busted his arse off at Victory the past couple of years to get to were he is and Popa will get the best out of him just like he did at Victory, he deserves a call up at the least.

 

[Zidane98]

Lol. Geria and Velupillay. The biggest surprise is that he didn't pick his kids.

Geria definitely is worthy of a call up.

 

[Bleedblueandgold]

Glad to see Luongo back.

 

[ioppolo]

Glad to see Luongo back.

Did he backtrack on the international retirement?

 

[gaskin]

Did he backtrack on the international retirement?

Yes.

 

[Cromulant]

Did he backtrack on the international retirement?

Didn't fancy playing under Arnie