Tony Popovic unveiled as Socceroos coach by Football Australia after sudden Graham Arnold exit

Tony Popovic has put pen to paper on a two-year deal to become Socceroos manager with immediate effect. The 51-year-old was confirmed as Australia's new head coach until the end of the 2026 World Cup on Monday, three days after Graham Arnold stepped down.

"I am extremely honoured to be given this opportunity to lead the Socceroos as head coach," Popovic said in a statement. "It's a role that comes with great responsibility, and I'm deeply grateful for the opportunity. This is undoubtedly a very proud moment for myself and my family. To be entrusted with guiding our national team is a privilege that I do not take lightly.

"I want to express my sincere gratitude to Football Australia for their confidence in my abilities. Their trust motivates me to give my absolute best in this role." Popovic has been out of work since leaving Melbourne Victory this year but will be thrust straight into the cauldron of World Cup qualification.

With their hopes of automatic qualification under threat following Arnold's last two games in charge, Popovic will be charged with resurrecting the Socceroos' campaign with little build-in towards his first game. The former Western Sydney and Perth Glory boss will be in the dugout against China in Adelaide on October 10, before a trip to take on Japan on October 15.

Australia's chances of direct qualification for the the World Cup are precarious at present, with the Aussies winless through their first two games of the third stage of qualifiers. "We have moved swiftly to secure the best possible candidate for this crucial role," said FA chief executive James Johnson.

"Our prompt action reflects our commitment to maintaining the momentum and success of the Socceroos program, especially as we are at the beginning of the critical third round of AFC Asian Qualifiers." Popovic will have to nominate a long list of players in the next week for those two fixtures, and it remains unclear how many of Arnold's staff intend to stick around for life under their new manager.

Tony Popovic to lead Socceroos after success in A-League

Popovic won 58 caps for Australia as a centre-back, before becoming the inaugural coach of the Western Sydney Wanderers, where he won the A-League Premiers Plate and made the grand final in his first season. Popovic then guided the Wanderers to a first ever Asian Champions League title for an Aussie club in just his second season.

Popovic has been out of work since leaving Melbourne Victory after their A-League Men grand final loss to the Central Coast Mariners. The 51-year-old, who worked as an assistant at Crystal Palace earlier in his coaching career and has coached clubs in Turkey and Greece, has been living in Croatia since he opted against renewing his contract with Victory.

He also famously led Perth Glory to the ALM premiership, and helped Victory secure the Australia Cup. Popovic was in the running for the Socceroos job in 2013 but lost out to Ange Postecoglou, who is now coaching Tottenham in the English Premier League. His appointment follows last week's sudden departure of Arnold, who entered the current phase of qualifying confident he had enough talent at his disposal to break down the stoic defences of his Asian rivals.

The Socceroos' failure to score a single goal against either Bahrain or Indonesia brought about Arnold's downfall, and Popovic now faces the challenge of turning around his country's fortunes. Popovic's first task will be leading the Socceroos into battle against China in Adelaide on October 10. A win there is simply a must if Australia want to stay within striking distance of Group C leaders Japan and second-placed Saudi Arabia. Japan are a perfect two wins from two matches and boast a goal difference of plus 12. Saudi Arabia have snared a win and a draw from their opening two matches.