Perth Glory owner Tony Sage says coach Tony Popovic is leaving the club with his blessing, denying there is any animosity over the parting of ways.
Popovic, who still had one more year remaining on his Glory contract, has left the A-League club in order to take up a deal in Europe.
The veteran coach is yet to reveal where he is going next, but rumours are rife he will take over as coach of Xanthi, who have just been relegated from the Greek Super League and have reportedly been bought by Sydney Olympic president Bill Papas.
Sage said there was an out-clause in Popovic’s contract allowing him to take up a deal in Europe.
Popovic left the Western Sydney Wanderers in the lurch in 2017 when he took up a deal with Turkish side Karabukspor on the eve of the 2017/18 A-League season.
But it seems as though the parting of ways has been much smoother this time around, with Sage even nominating Popovic as the next Socceroos coach.
“There’s no animosity, everything is fine between him and me,” Sage told AAP.
“It’s a fantastic opportunity for him.
“He’s done fantastic for the club, he loves the club. But clauses in contracts … just like players, I never stop anyone from going. Never have, never will.
“It’s an opportunity for him to expand.
“He brought us our first big silverware of the A-League era, so I wish him very well for the future.”
Popovic led Glory to the Premiers Plate last season before they fell to Sydney on penalties in the grand final.
This season, Glory beat Wellington in an elimination final before being bundled out by eventual premiers Sydney 2-0 in the semi-finals.
Sage said the uncertainty surrounding next season played a major role in Popovic’s decision to leave.
“I mean no one knows what’s going to happen next year. The border restrictions are going to create havoc,” Sage said.
“He lived in a bubble for seven weeks, so I don’t think he wants to live in a bubble next year for five months if Perth has to play in a bubble somewhere.
“So if you’re the coach and you’ve got another opportunity and you’ve got an exit clause, would you not take it? Or would you stay in the uncertainty of the A-League? That was one of the biggest things in his mind.”
Sage said the future of skipper Diego Castro would be up to the new coach.
Castro’s future is in doubt after he opted against joining his teammates in their NSW hub to finish the season.
Reports emerged Castro refused to play after being told he would need to take a pay cut.
The next A-League season was set to kick-off in December, but Sage expects the FFA to delay that by at least a month or two.
Nick Symonds
Guest
"rumours are rife he will take over as coach of Xanthi, who have just been relegated from the Greek Super League and have reportedly been bought by Sydney Olympic president Bill Papas." - Not long ago, Sydney Olympic announced a relationship with the Bulldogs. Now they've taken over a club in Greece. For all you know, Will Hopoate could end up at Xanthi. Sydney Olympic, Canterbury Bulldogs and Super League Greece. A winning combination.
Robin
Guest
I have been a paid up Wanderers supporter since year one Popovic did an extraordinary job in winning the ACL, but apart from that - nothing Winning the Premiers Plate means nothing Winning championships means everything and the Wanderers, and Popovic, have always been the bridesmaid The way he left our club to skulk off to Turkey was utterly unforgivable I do not wish him well The Wanderers still have huge potential but that potential that has never been fulfilled Poor recruiting Poor coaching Poor management Another "clean out" of players at the end of this season and no sign of a plan, a vision, a passion It hurts to say it, but Sydney's other team is all the things the Wanderers are not They are winners - again We are nothing - still
Coo-coo land
Guest
You'd give him six months before he will get sacked. Ange P was fired coaching over there and he was actually born in Greece and spoke the lingo since childhood. Don't see this working.
FootballMad
Guest
He did honour his contract. His contract had a clause in it.
stu
Guest
Sounds fair off course, until they sign up for clubs in certain European leagues considered (on these pages) lesser league than what we have here. At that stage they are then classified as too good for that league and encouraged to come back to the a-league.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Agree. We've seen players leave over the years to improve themselves. The same should/can happen on the coaching side. Australian football wins.
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
good luck to him hope he hasn't burned his bridges
Ron Padua
Guest
Massive blow to our club and overall contribution to the A-League. Thanks Tony for a sterling job.
Admiral Ackbar
Guest
He was brilliant in 2018/19, of course that was before his sons come over and that episode with the London Football Exchange. You'd have thought Glory would have learned their lesson after what happened what Alistair Edwards and Steve McMahon, but no.....
Coastyboi
Guest
It’s all about the big bucks now. I’d say most coaches have a lifestyle they are accustomed to, & the Australian market isn’t as lucrative as overseas. Want the honey? Need money.
sam
Guest
Popovic is an unfortunate example of the typical Australian success football story. There are many like him......i.e. Tim Cahill This is the second time Popovic has cut and run from Australian domestic football, when he left WSW. It was a failed decision in Turkey with Karabukspor and then he quickly came back to coach Perth to grab some money. Now he's done it again ................the very least he could have done is honour his contract.
Buddy
Roar Rookie
maybe Castro will be staying as a result of this?
Griffo
Roar Guru
More Aussie coaches overseas is a good thing. If Poppa can get a team back into the top flight then more power to him to do so.
AndyAdelaide
Roar Rookie
He seems to have lost his mojo after the wanderers. His general demeanor in press conferences plus his blatant nepotism didn’t help glory this past season. im guessing that he’ll either get sacked or leave because he wasn’t paid, i mean what could go wrong in Greeces 2nd division? lol