Tony Popovic insisted Isuzu UTE A-League players will be considered for the Subway Socceroos following his appointment as the new coach of Australia’s men’s national team.
The 58-time Australia international, who guided Melbourne Victory to last season’s Isuzu UTE A-League Grand Final, will have limited preparation for next month’s crucial World Cup qualifiers against China in Adelaide on October 10 and high-flying Japan in Saitama five days later.
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Popovic fronted the media in Sydney, where he was asked about the potential make-up of the squad for next month’s qualifiers and he had a message for the Isuzu UTE A-League-based players with the season scheduled to begin on October 18.
He highlighted the recent performances of Melbourne City skipper Aziz Behich, who was in the last Socceroos squad along with Perth Glory captain Adam Taggart.
“It’s a short turnaround for selection for this camp. We have to decide what’s best to get a result in this China match,” Popovic told reporters, while also vowing to provide a more dynamic brand of football.
“It’s not just minutes, you need to play quality minutes too.
“There are players obviously in the A-Leagues, not having their competition are maybe a little bit behind in terms of their conditioning but they shouldn’t be discounted either.
“I’ve seen Aziz Behich play the last couple of games and he is from the A-Leagues. He doesn’t have that European conditioning and he played well in both games.
“A-League players should all be aware and know they could also get selected for this game.”
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Popovic – who said he will be based in Australia having moved to Croatia following his Victory tenure – finds himself in charge of the national team following his departure from Victory in June.
His Victory came within a whisker of the Isuzu UTE A-League Championship last season, losing to Central Coast Mariners 3-2 in extra time.
Across his three seasons at AAMI Park, Popovic won the Australia Cup with Victory in 2021 and took the club to a second-place finish in his first Isuzu UTE A-League campaign.
Victory finished 11th in the following season but swiftly bounced back in 2023-24, finishing third on the table and reaching the Grand Final – a game Popovic’s side led 1-0 at the 90-minute mark before succumbing to a 3-1 extra-time defeat to the Mariners.
Popovic coached 85 league games across three seasons at Victory. He won 34 of those 85 games, drew 26 and lost 25.
The former Victory, Perth Glory and Western Sydney Wanderers boss was asked how important it is that FA appointed someone who has “performed” in the A-Leagues.
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“It should be the aspiration for all coaches, regardless where they are, the dream job can come true,” said the two-time Premiership-winning coach – who has also reached five Grand Finals.
“It’s happened for me and hopefully it will happen for another young aspiring coach one day.
“Ultimately it needs to be the best person for the job. If they are from Australia and in our local competition, it’s a bonus.”
Popovic insisted now is the perfect time to take on the role.
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“No, it’s the best time to take it,” Popovic replied when it was suggested it was a difficult time to replace Arnold. “Why wouldn’t it be a good time?
“Results can sometimes mask when something is good too. The results haven’t been good in the first two games but look at the history with what’s been done with the Socceroos, have a look at the World Cup.
“Have a look at the fantastic group of players who done remarkable things over there. A lot of those players are still there so the talent remains and a lot of young players have come through. There’s probably a lot of other players who are waiting for their chance.
“When you say Socceroos doesn’t come around often, five years ago I wasn’t ready for this role. Two-three years ago I wouldn’t even have looked at this role. I’m ready. I want this job. I’m here because I want to be here.”
Popovic is dreaming big as the Socceroos coach.
The 51-year-old, who also left the door open for Massimo Luongo and Mitch Langerak to come out of international retirement to play for the Socceroos, added: “I was always brought up that anything is possible from my parents. I’ve had that as a young player, senior player and coach. Anything is possible.
“I always dreamed that this role is possible. Now I’m dreaming it’s possible we come first in the group. I’m dreaming that it’s possible we do something special at the World Cup.
“But I also know that dream is just one part, you have to work. We have to work at a standard, at elite level to give us an opportunity to do something special.”
Over the course of the 30-minute press conference, Popovic also addressed criticism of his playing style and concerns over the current generation of Socceroos players.
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On his own football, Popovic vowed: “I don’t care too much (about criticism) because I know what I stand for and I know my values.
“I know what I can do with a group of players. I know I can improve every single player I work with and I have. That will continue.
“I know we will play football everyone will enjoy.”
As for the current generation of Green and Gold, Popovic said: “We have good players. It’s a different generation.
“Players now playing overseas, young players coming through in the A-League.
“We exceeded expectations at the World Cup and what follows from that is we expect more in the AFC qualifiers. It’s not a bad thing, is it? I hope you expect more from me. I hope you sit there and expect more.
“So when you win, you expect more. With that mindset, we have a chance to grow and get better. I want to be at the forefront of that. I want to lead the way where I can.”
