‘I’m ready’: New Socceroos coach reveals plans

New Socceroos coach Tony Popovic is prepared to “win ugly” if it means Australia qualifies for the next FIFA World Cup, but has also promised more “dynamic” performances from the national team under his tenure.

Popovic’s appointment was confirmed just four days after Graham Arnold made the shock decision to quit in the wake of two poor World Cup qualifying results.

Having won two A-League premierships, Popovic also guided the Western Sydney Wanderers to becoming the first Australian team to win the prestigious AFC Champions League.

“This is the ultimate challenge and I’m excited by it,” Popovic said on Monday ahead of Australia’s matches next month against China and Japan.

“Five years ago I wasn’t ready for this role. Three years ago or two years ago, I wouldn’t have looked at this role.

“(Now) I’m ready. I want this job. I’m here because I want to be here.”

Popovic, 51, said the Socceroos looked a “bit flat” in this month’s 1-0 home loss to Bahrain and 0-0 away draw with Indonesia.

“That can happen … (but) there are some areas I believe we can improve. That’s talking from the back to the front,” he said.

“Maybe we can be a little bit more dynamic, we can move the ball quicker, we can get more players in then box … I’m sure we can get that back and do it even better moving forward.

“We need to be a lot more connected as a team with and without the ball … (play) with the energy and desire, and with the speed and the dynamic type of play that I believe the players will enjoy.”

However, the ultimate goal is qualification for the 2026 World Cup, with Popovic – who departed Melbourne Victory after guiding them to last season’s A-League grand final – suggesting he would do whatever was required to achieve that.

“We need to win. We should always look to improve, but qualifying is not easy,” he said.

“It’s always OK to win ugly. That’s not to say you’re planning to play that way.

“I’ll never be satisfied when we win and we don’t play well. We’ll be satisfied with the win but we need to make sure the style gets better. We should always aim to be the best.”

A member of the Socceroos’ famed “Golden Generation” that included the likes of Harry Kewell, Mark Viduka, Lucas Neill, John Aloisi, Mark Bresciano, Craig Moore and Mark Schwarzer, Popovic vowed his players would “honour” the Socceroos’ jersey.

“We always wore that shirt with integrity, and we wore it as privilege, as a badge of honour – we never took it for granted,” he said.

“We need those values. Honour is number one to wear the shirt and wear it with pride, and represent your country and your family.

“Looking ahead, I have great faith and confidence in our ability to grow as a team. Together, we will work tirelessly to improve, evolve, and continue Australia’s success on the international stage.”

Football Australia chief executive officer James Johnson said Popovic was the “ideal choice” to guide the Socceroos moving forward.

“We have moved quickly to secure the best possible candidate for this crucial role,” Johnson said.

“Tony’s proven leadership and strategic football acumen, combined with his deep understanding of Australian football, our players, and what it means to be a Socceroo makes him the ideal choice to lead out national team moving forward.”

TONY POPOVIC’S COACHING RECORD

– A-League Success: He has won two A-League Premierships, first with Western Sydney Wanderers FC in 2012/13 and then with Perth Glory FC in 2018/19. During the 2023/24 season, Popovic led Melbourne Victory FC to the grand final.

– AFC Champions League Victory: In 2014, Popovic led Western Sydney Wanderers FC to become the first Australian team to win the prestigious AFC Champions League

– AFC Coach of the Year: His success in Asia was recognised when he was named AFC Coach of the Year in 2014.