Popovic assured in Australia prospects after changing Arnold
Popovic assured in Australia prospects after changing Arnold


Tony Popovic has pledged to instil a brand new vitality into Australia’s play after changing Graham Arnold because the Socceroos’ head coach.

Arnold surprisingly resigned after six years within the function on Friday, following a poor begin to Australia’s 2026 World Cup qualification marketing campaign.

A 1-0 defeat at dwelling to Bahrain and a goalless attract Indonesia within the September worldwide break left the Socceroos fifth within the Asian World Cup qualification standings, with solely the highest two finishers getting computerized spots on the 48-team match.

Former Crystal Palace centre-back Popovich, who received 58 caps for Australia between 1995 and 2006, says there may be sufficient expertise obtainable to vary their fortunes.

“Teaching the Socceroos might be a dream come true,” Popovic informed reporters at an introductory information convention. “I look ahead to the problem. I’m excited by it.

“The Socceroos are in an excellent place. This marketing campaign hasn’t began the very best, however I do know there’s sufficient time, sufficient video games.

“The staff perhaps regarded a bit of bit flat. I don’t suppose it’ll take an excessive amount of to vary the best way we play.

“We’ll do it with vitality, we’ll do it with need, and do it with pace and a dynamic sort of play that I believe the gamers will get pleasure from.”

Since shifting into administration, Popovich has received A-League Premiership titles with Western Sydney Wanderers and Perth Glory, additionally main the previous to the AFC Champions League crown in 2014.

Expectations across the Australian nationwide staff have been heightened in recent times, with the facet reaching 5 straight World Cups and advancing to the final 16 at Qatar 2022, escaping a bunch that contained Denmark and Tunisia.

“Australia must be qualifying for World Cups,” Popovich mentioned. “Two occasions within the final 5, we certified routinely, it’s not simple. However ought to we not purpose for first spot? No, we should always all the time purpose to be the very best.

“What follows from that’s we anticipate extra in managing qualifiers. That’s not a foul factor. Anticipate extra from me.”





Supply hyperlink