Ange Postecoglou quits: Graham Arnold, Tony Popovic, Kevin Muscat lead potential replacements

WHERE do the FFA turn to now in the wake of Ange Postecoglou’s resignation? While there’s sure to be plenty of interest both locally and overseas, the favourite looks obvious.

WHO will be FFA’s prime target to replace Ange Postecoglou?

There are plenty of local options but, as proved in 2006 with Guus Hiddink, they are not beyond reaching for a high-profile, short-term fix.

Here are the leading candidates.

GRAHAM ARNOLD

The Sydney FC coach would be the hot favourite if the FFA stay with a local coach, and he was reportedly sounded out earlier this year. He has already held the position in both an acting and full-time role, leading the Socceroos on their ill-fated 2007 Asian Cup campaign before moving aside. He also served as an assistant to Pim Verbeek at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. He has revitalised his coaching fortunes back in the A-League, first with Central Coast Mariners and more recently Sydney FC.

TONY POPOVIC

Long seen as a potential national team candidate, Popovic dropped a bombshell in October when he quit Western Sydney Wanderers to move to Turkish side Karabukspor. His time in Super Lig hasn’t gone particular well with his side languishing in the relegation zone and the board quitting en mass earlier this month. The stars could well be aligned for a lucrative move back home.

ANTE MILICIC

Ange Postecoglou gave his long-time assistant a ringing endorsement recently when the Wanderers job came up for grabs. “I think Ante will be an outstanding coach. I would appoint him at an A-league club, I think he’s done a fantastic apprenticeship.” The 43-year-old was an assistant manager at both Melbourne Heart and the Wanderers and is certainly building a compelling case. He was also appointed Olyroos coach earlier this week.

JOSEP GOMBAU

The colourful Spaniard has made a big impression on the local game since arriving four years ago. He won the inaugural FFA Cup in a two-year stint with Adelaide United in the A-League and was been in the Socceroos set-up as U23 coach for 18 months before recently taking the role of Western Sydney Wanderers coach.

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KEVIN MUSCAT

Divisive, certainly, but there is no doubting his coaching record after making the transition from combative player. Muscat — who played 46 times for Socceroos up until 2006 — has been Melbourne Victory’s full-time coach since 2013, leading them to a famous double in the 2014-15 season and the FFA Cup title in 2015.

Following Postecoglou’s announcement, Victory CEO Ian Robson attempted to play the possibility, though didn’t rule it out.

“Kevin is on record as saying any Australian coach would have that ambition, but he is also on record as saying he has, what he believes, the best job in Australian football right now domestically with Victory,” he told SEN.

“Those matters don’t need the speculation of people like myself. It’s all hypotheticals.”

GIANNI DE BIASI

The veteran Italian was spruiked as a possible candidate when word got out back in July that Ange may leave. He comes with impeccable credentials on the international stage after overseeing the recent rise in fortunes of tiny Albania. He took them to the 2016 Euros in France before quitting. He is the current coach of Spanish side Alaves.

Could Guus Hiddink be an outside chance?

CARLO ANCELOTTI

The Italian is currently unemployed so if the Socceroos are looking for a high-profile short-term fix, then he could fit the bill. While he has never coached at international level, guiding the likes of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, AC Milan, PSG and, of course, Real Madrid, should put him in the reckoning.

GUUS HIDDINK

And the Socceroos could always revisit 2006 by appointing the Dutchman. Whether he wants to go around a second time is highly debatable.