Replace Graham Arnold, Australian National Team Appoint Tony Popovic As Coach

Tony Popovic has officially become the coach of the Australian National Team (Instagram/@socceroos).

JAKARTA - The Australian national team officially appointed Tony Popovic as coach. The former Crystal Palace architect officially collaborated with Socceroos to replace Graham Arnold as of Monday, September 23, 2024.

With his new responsibility as Australian national team coach Tony Popovic is required to qualify for the 2026 World Cup finals.

Popovic received an offer to coach the Australian national team after he was without a club after the last time he coached Melbourne Victory on June 30, 2024.

Quoted from Socceroos' official website, Popovic is contracted with a duration of up to the 2026 World Cup.

"The appointment of Tony Popovic is a new chapter of interest for Socceros at a critical stage. As a player, Tony represents our country with pride and with brilliant achievements in every age group," said Anter Isaac, chairman of Australian Football, quoted from the official website on Monday, September 23, 2024.

"As a coach, he consistently demonstrates the ability to develop a winning team through his attention to detail, careful planning, and the ability to align collective focus."

"Like Graham, we knew he would be warmly welcomed by all the cast, staff and fans of Socceroos as we continued to work on the 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers," Isaac said.

Tony Popovic is not a foreign figure in Australian football. The 51-year-old coach is a former Australian player with 58 caps.

Training Australia will be a challenge for Popovic. The reason is, Matthew Ryan and his friends are slumping in Group C of the Third Round of 2026 World Cup Qualification.

After losing 0-1 to Bahrain at home, Australia was detained by the 0-0 Indonesian national team in Jakarta.

The two poor results also made Graham Arnold resign from the Australian coaching position as of Friday, September 20, 2024.

"I am very honored to be given this opportunity to lead Socceroos as head coach. This is a role accompanied by great responsibility. I am very grateful for this opportunity," Popovic said of his new responsibilities.