With an Asian Champions League title and a Premiers Plate under his belt – along with three grand final appearances – Tony Popovic has fast become one of Australia’s most respected and talented football managers.
He has transformed Western Sydney Wanderers into an A-League powerhouse.
However with the club struggling on the field, one could forgive Popa for reminiscing of better days gone by. With some key figures moving from last season such as captain Nikolai Topor-Stanley and some poor recruitment, it seems that this season may prove too much for the Wanderers.
While no one is doubting Popovic’s resolve, the fairytale romance between WSW and their manger may be coming to an end.
One could argue that Popovic may have done all he can with WSW, having taken them to the very pinnacle of Asian football. He may be looking for a fresh challenge after nearly five consecutive seasons with the club which is considerably a lot more than the modern football manger.
It would be foolish to suggest that Popovic isn’t largely responsible for the rough season the Wanderers are having. While occasionally having a large number of players leave for clubs with more money is not uncommon in the A-League, a lack of quality in the replacements and the failed signing of Kerem Bulut have left WSW toothless and struggling.
Reinforcements are arriving in the form of Terry Antonis and the much needed European number nine rumoured to be signing very soon however it may to late for Popovic’s men. The Wanderers will have to part with their inaugural manger eventually; perhaps this may be sooner than later if problems persist.
An aspect of Popovic that would certainly appeal to any would-be-suitors is his ability to create a great culture in a club. Having built WSW from scratch Popovic instilled a winning mentality into his squad and a fierce determination. These are elements that are absolutely crucial to a club trying to find its feet and these ideals will stay with WSW long after Popovic has left.
These aspects of his coaching would be huge requirement for any club looking for a fresh start or perhaps even a brand new club looking for some solid foundations on which to build their empire.
With two new A-League clubs set to join in 2018-19 any potential clubs would surely bend over backwards to have Tony Popovic as manger.
With hopefully more time and better organisation than the Wanderers were afforded, Popovic would be the ideal man to lead a new club into the bright lights of the A-League and would be able to comfortably name his price to any interested parties whether that be Canberra, Melbourne or even another Sydney-based club.
Melbourne City could also be a potential stop in Popovic’s career, however recent rumours are that a former Premier League manager and FA Cup finalist could be on the cards which would rule out Popa. However the City Football Group would be amiss to completely disregard the ex-Socceroo who could also be used at one of the various clubs that City Football own and with the financial clout provided could be an interesting venture for Popovic.
However despite potential suitors locally, Popa could also have clubs from overseas who could be casting an envious gaze towards Western Sydney. Winning the ACL has given him a reputation in Asia of a highly skilled coach can has proven he can create teams that win silverware.
A manger that has won the ACL and has considerable experience in the competition would be very interesting to larger Asian teams who place success in the ACL very highly in their requirements for a successful season.
With the large volumes of money that are currently being poured into Asian football at the moment especially in China, we could see our very own Popa managing the likes of Oscar and Carlos Tevez in the near future.
He could perhaps win the ACL again which would surely be a interesting challenge for the WSW manger.
However WSW fans can breathe easy as their manager isn’t jumping ship just yet barring some extraordinary coaching merry go round. Perhaps we’ll know more after their ACL campaign or maybe after the board begin talks about a new contract if they do at all.
It would seem foolish to sack Popovic based on the results of this season and he no doubt has the backing of the whole team behind him.
Be warned WSW fans. Nothing lasts forever.
AR
Guest
I agree with NemeFuss on this one. The other day we had Mike T asking whether the fans of 2016 reigning-Champion Adelaide would/should consider quitting the club. Now 2016 runner-up coach Tony Popvic is facing calls by some fans to be sacked. Really?
Michael
Guest
Correct!......................the problem in a nut shell. By far, this is the thing that bugs Popa's supporters the most about him and he needs to stop doing it immediately!
Mihalis
Roar Rookie
He'll probably go to Melbourne City...maybe. Could be well suited there.
marron
Guest
I don't think MacDonald will be or should be the final straw. The poor judgement already happened. If MacDonald comes it will be a stop gap measure - we need a striker, and they have to be Australian. What I am concerned about all the same with regards to him is how he'll go up front alone. Unless popas 442 at the weekend was a sign of things to come. Which on one level is great - a sign he's willing to change (still not within a game itself though :lol:) but on another, not, because I'm not sure the rest of the squad can balance that out.
Waz
Guest
A big test for Poppa will be if he unveils Scott McDonald as his new striker, if he flops there's serious questions over his judgement
Bondy
Guest
I hope Popovic realises that you cant get rid of 5-6 players each year and bring in another 5-6 players and expect coordination, fluidity and solid form ... I remember Wenger suggesting at the very most he will only bring in three new players to a squad otherwise fluidity, coordination and rhythm can be hard to attain throughout the season ...
Barto
Guest
As a Sydney FC fan, you should keep him. I can relax going into the derbies knowing we will win with Poopa in charge.
Josh
Guest
He has this season to deliver us a finals win, if not he can move on. We are Australia's football heartland, we shouldn't be sitting there watching other teams celebrate wins against us, his record against Victory and SFC is appalling.
Post_hoc
Guest
I hope so, it frustrates me know end, many of them are younger park football guys, was hoping they might have been exposed to something more, but I expect they learnt it from parents.
pauly
Guest
Newcastle seem more likely to take a finals berth than WSW.
Waz
Guest
Poppa remains an odd-ball coach for me seemingly willing to tip the baby and bath water out at the end of each season. But he seems to be one of the few coaches that has the mental toughness to go overseas at some point (maybe Aloisi does too but he lacks self-confidence imo) so the only question is when and where does he go? For now he's doing nothing wrong at wanderers and, despite a poor season so far, it's the same approach that he's taken since day one there.
Tim Foran
Roar Rookie
I don't think he should be sacked either. WSW should offer him a new contract soon as I'm pretty sure it runs out in 2108. I think its far more likely that he gets signed by either one of the new teams coming in or an overseas team. I don't think WSW would stand in his way if an overseas team came for him.
AZ_RBB
Guest
I think that's a by product of the previous generation in Australian football where route one tactics were the norm. Coming from an exposure to only local and English football where route one tactics were also common and popular. I think over the years more and more people will appreciate the build up play especially as it's instilled in the education of young footballers.
Post_hoc
Guest
I see it on game days Nemesis, a number of fans around me have no patience what so ever, they seem to particularly dislike wanderers building up the play, moving the ball around, they really like it when Aspro or the keeper decides to go Route 1 and the ball goes out deep inside the opponent's half. I know I get frustrated with our lack of goal scoring, but you can see what and how the team are playing, you can see what they are trying to do, the last 5% isn't there, but it will come. I know Western Sydney is the spiritual home of football in Australia, and I know we have a lot of football legacy and knowledge, BUT we also have some people that have no idea on how football of quality is played. They think of season 1, quick counter attacking and parking the bus and want to go back to it, but any knowledgeable fan will tell you that is how small clubs play, and was good for season 1, I don't want my Wanderers to play like that into the future.
jamesb
Guest
The thing is Popa can't keep changing his squad excessively year in, year out.
Nemesis
Guest
Unbelievable the lack of loyalty & patience across the modern football fan. Popovic finished 2nd on the table 7 months ago & until Pablo Sanchez scored the 3rd goal in the 90th minute of the Grand Final, WSW were still a chance to win that match. What more do people want from a coach? If people think Tony Popovic should be sacked, that means every A-League coach should be sacked mid-season if his team is not Top 4.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Pretty much a non issue really. The squad assembled has holes that need fixing, sure the manager is responsible for that in part, yet defensive lapses and poor execution are to blame. Semi finals still loom. If he was sacked I would be unsure as to the reason.
AZ_RBB
Guest
It's all well and good to look what he has done in the past but it's 2017 now. What has he done in 2017? Very little. He has one of the worst coaching records in world football this year. I'll be asking the owners this question directly. I ask all other fans regardless of who you support to join me. #WhatsHeDoneIn2017
Post_hoc
Guest
Nope, he wants to win the Championship here, then he will go o/s. Popa is 43??? He knows he has a long career ahead of him, 20 plus years if he plays his cards right. Like everything he has a plan and he plans on following through with it.
punter
Guest
Not much love for Popa or WSW, but have to agree with Kaks. Popa's record over the last 4 years ACL winner Champions Twice 2nd 3 Grand finals. Don't think any coach in the A-League can match this.