I didn’t see that coming. Who did? Only a chosen few knew.
The exit of Western Sydney Wanderers FC coach Tony Popovic to take up a new challenge with struggling Turkish side Karabukspor comes just seven days before the Wanderers start their sixth A-League campaign with a home match against Perth Glory.
Social media has gone into a tail spin and quite understandably so.
I was the host of the Wanderers season launch at Spotless Stadium on Saturday. I had a brief conversation with Popovic as well as CEO John Tsatismas and goalkeeping coach Zelko Kalac. It was actually more about the Annual Croatian Tournament which is held at different locations each year around Australia. Popovic and Kalac have attended many of these tournaments.
Who would have thought the photo I took of the Coach and CEO would probably be the last one of them together in Wanderers colours.
There was not even a hint of what would come 24 hours later.
Hundreds of fans were at Spotless Stadium along with club sponsors as both the A-League and W-league teams were presented with their jerseys.
It was a typical season launch. Lots of fun, activities, team photos, entertainment as well as a light training session.
(Photo by Andy Paschalidis)
Who will replace Popovic is the big question. One would expect one of his closest allies Ante Milicic – the Socceroos Assistant Coach – will come into the mix. Milicic knows the WSW landscape well have previously worked as ‘Poppa’s’ assistant.
I actually wanted to write a column this week about the season ahead and more specifically the reign of Popovic. Champions of Asia in 2014 and three Grand Finals is a pretty impressive CV. The Wanderers have only missed the finals campaign once.
Yes losing three Grand Finals has been difficult to take for the loyal fans but the entry of the Wanderers into the elite level of Australian football has been a blessing.
The Sydney derbies have been eye-catching generating great media interest as well as delivering huge crowds. There could even be a fourth derby this season if both clubs progress to the final of the FFA Cup.
The Wanderers membership base has escalated from the initial 7,500 in season 2012/13 to over 20,000 last season. The west of Sydney has spoken.
Popovic and major owner Paul Lederer have worked closely together to ensure off-field success is also matched by what has come out in the middle. I didn’t see Lederer at the season launch.
One would think Lederer and his CEO John Tsatsimas were the first to know about the Turkish offer. The ex-Socceroo has certainly had overseas interest before especially from ASIA.
Karabukspor is in 16th position in an 18-team Turkish League with just one win in seven games securing seven points. The city of Karabuk is located in the north of Turkey very close to the Black Sea and to the east of Istanbul which is just over 400 kilometres away.
One should put this move into perspective. How many Australians have coached a team in a top division in Europe? The challenge and the financial return were too good to refuse.
In the short term the exit is painful for the fans and I can only wonder what the players think but in this era of professional football players and coaches come and go.
Yes the timing is poor for obvious reasons but Popovic has always ensured good football people work around him. There’s a strong support base in the WSW dressing room. It’s always been Poppa’s way or the highway.
The players have to lift, particularly the new signings who have to impress the new coach whoever that will be.
Is there reason for concern for the loyal fans?
In the short-term, yes, but over the 2017/18 campaign one expects this new-look squad to excel.
Who do you sing for?
Buddy
Guest
Whilst not claiming to have seen the deprture coming, I am somewhat surprised it didn’t happen some time ago; thought it might have happened shortly after the ACL triumph. If the club has relly been in good hands then a certain mount of succession planning should have taken place and the transition could be quite painless. I am quite keen to see some change on the coaching front and a change of style perhaps? Not all change is bad even if the timing isn’t the best, Something new to speculate over now!
RBBAnonymous
Guest
I know both Kalac and Foxe personally but would happily see them go to seek opportunities in Turkey with Popa. Carrasco on the other hand is worth keeping.
The Auteur
Guest
CORRECTION: Not fired but his contract not renewed. SOURCE: http://www.goal.com/en-au/news/the-covert-agent-fox-sports-shake-up-bosnich-slater/m1wlpdzb8w6v10o7abmucxpch May be to do with internal cost cutting May be to do with Fox wanting more diversity in onscreen panel Could be to do with Rudan getting into an altercation with Mel McLaughlin Either way, he won't be on your screen this season.
albatross
Roar Pro
Realfootball - here's a clue: "Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation has tumbled to a $US643 million ($817 million) full-year loss after taking a scythe to the value of his cherished newspaper mastheads." http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-11/news-corporation-profit-slumps-on-newspaper-writedowns/8796800
albatross
Roar Pro
Perhaps they could do a MyFootballClub/Ebbsfleet thing and turn the selections and tactics over to the members?
saul
Guest
And we gave him all that money to spend hang on a sec we just got screwed
saul
Guest
Saul's always in the dark, if he is taking all three with him then it is a dog act
Lionheart
Guest
Thought I read that Kalac is thought to be moving too - I guessed with Popa.
saul
Guest
Whoever is made the manager I will give them my support. Foxe, Kalac, Carrasco as long as they wear the red and black i will stand behind them.
marron
Guest
Kalac and Foxe I would be happy to lose. But it would be a great shame to lose Carrasco.
Realfootball
Guest
Has he? Why?
The Auteur
Guest
Well, he's been fired from Fox so that shouldn't be an issue.
Lionheart
Guest
at least it would get him off Fox
RBBAnonymous
Guest
He is the big blue man. His identity is on the other side of Sydney. I'm not sure he could do it :))
Realfootball
Guest
Maybe, RBB. I still hold hope for Rudan. He fits the identity of the club.
RBBAnonymous
Guest
The sad reality is that for a club of WSW stature they would want someone who has top tier football credentials.
Realfootball
Guest
For all Popovic's considerable and impressive achievements, there is a good argument for the club benefiting from a freshen up with a new coach. At this short notice, surely they will appoint a local coach who knows western Sydney and the A League. I would love to see Rudan given a shot. He's ready, he's local, he's qualified and he's a first rate analyst. I find it hard to imagine that either Gombau or Milicic would take the job with their current commitments. No one has mentioned Damien Mori in the discussion of possible candidates, which surprises me.
Midfielder
Guest
Will be interesting to see if they go local or overseas
Waz
Guest
Bahahahahaha .... me too. That'll write off their season ?
Waz
Guest
Poppa will be a hard act to follow, but not impossible. The recent FFA Cup match sums his tenure up - unlucky not to be out of sight in the first half, but a bit lucky to make it to penalties in the second; wanderers could always be hot n cold and the squad was always being overhauled and you never know what you'd get next. That's the biggest risk for this season .. he's brought in several players with a plan in mind, will someone else be able to execute that plan? All clubs need to be able to survive these transitions in the same way as star players moving on. This is normal and successful clubs develop to be resilient, I'm sure wanderers will be fine. I will say this though - is there anyone that doesn't know the season starts in a week now? This has launched the A League season better than any soap-box marketing campaign could do ... but maybe they'll change it to "you've gotta have a coach" now??