Sydney FC axes coach Steve Corica, with Ufuk Talay the favourite to replace him

The A-League season is less than a month old but two coaches have already been axed, with Steve Corica the latest casualty after Rado Vidosic’s sacking last week.

Sydney FC has axed coach Steve Corica. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Ufuk Talay is tipped to become Sydney FC’s new coach following the sacking of his former Sky Blues teammate Steve Corica.

Following Sydney’s poor start to an A-League season less than a month old, Corica was axed a week after Melbourne City’s dismissal of Rado Vidosic.

The two teams met last Friday night, with City’ 2-0 win at AAMI Park proving to be the final straw for Sydney officials.

Despite having guided the Sky Blues to Australia Cup glory last month. Corica was sacked on the back of three successive A-League losses and Sydney’s failure to score in any of those matches.

Last month’s Australia Cup win wasn't enough to save the 50-year-old Queenslander, who has become the second A-League coach to be axed this season following Melbourne City’s sacking of Rado Vidosic last week.

“The Sydney FC board has made the decision to move in a new direction,” club chairman Scott Barlow said on Tuesday.

And that’s towards former Sky Blues midfielder and former Wellington coach Talay, who guided the Phoenix to finals football in three of his four seasons in charge of the New Zealand club before leaving at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

Since then, 47-year-old Talay has been part of the Socceroos coaching staff under Graham Arnold.

Socceroos great Robbie Slater said Talay would be a good appointment for the Sky Blues, who meet Adelaide United at Coopers Stadium on Thursday night.

“I loved his brand of football when he was at Wellington, and what he achieved there was extraordinary given the circumstances, particularly during the Covid period,” Slater said of Talay.

“He’s also gained coaching experience at Socceroos level with Graham Arnold, and he’s former Sydney FC player, so he’s a good fit for the job.”

Sydney FC has sacked coach Steve Corica. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Slater also sympathised with Corica, a Sydney FC hall of fame member who spent 19 years at the Sky Blues as a player and captain, and is various coaching roles at different levels.

“The reality is the season has started disastrously for Sydney, but it’s not Corica’s fault. I don’t think he’s was given money to recruit properly in the off-season considering who they lost,” Slater said.

“Any coach coming in is going to have a difficult job ahead of them … but Corica knew the writing was on the wall.

“He was under pressure last season as well before they went on that run to the finals, which probably saved his job, but very rarely in football do things last forever.”

Assistant coach David Zdrilic took charge of Sydney’s training session on Tuesday after Corica informed the players of his departure.

As a player, Corica won two A-League championships and a premiership with the Sky Blues.

After being appointed as head coach of the club ahead of the 2018-19 season, Corica guided Sydney to another two championships and a premiership, as well as this year’s Australia Cup.

“It is very difficult to depart Sydney FC after being here for such a long time but I leave with unbelievable memories,” Corica said.

“There are so many people to thank but most of all I would like to thank all my amazing staff and players as well as the Sydney FC members and fans.

“I could never have imagined that when I set foot into this brand, new club in 2005, I would go on to spend the next 19 years of my life here.

“I will always look back on my time with Sydney FC with incredible fondness.”

Barlow described Corica as a “legend” of Sydney FC.

“He is a true gentleman who has always put Sydney FC first and I would like to personally thank him for all he has done,” Barlow said.

Originally published as Sydney FC axes coach Steve Corica, with Ufuk Talay the favourite to replace him