Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay rejects ‘speculation’ of him replacing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory

Ufuk Talay isn’t keen to discuss where he will be coaching next season despite suggestion that he’s heading to Melbourne Victory.

Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay is keeping quiet about his future. Picture: Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images

Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has dismissed reports of him replacing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory next season, but remains coy about his future.

The Phoenix host the Victory at Sky Stadium on Saturday, with Talay hoping to add further misery to the Melbourne side’s poor season.

Popovic is seemingly under pressure to keep his job, with the Victory – who last season fell a game short of a grand final appearance – in last spot on the ladder.

With Talay set to leave the Phoenix at the end of the season, he has been linked to Popovic’s job.

However. it’s nothing more than “speculation” according to the Wellington mentor.

“I’ve had no discussions with anybody at this stage,” Talay said.

“It’s just an article that’s been thrown out there.”

Victory coach Tony Popovic is seemingly under pressure to keep his job. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Talay also wasn’t interested in revealing his plans beyond this season.

“I don’t think there’s a need to,” the 47-year-old former Young Socceroos coach said.

Popovic said he wasn’t worried about what might happen next season.

“That’s not a conversation that I’ve had (with Victory officials) or that I’m concerned about,” the former Socceroos defender said.

“I’m just concerned about the game.

“Speculation will always exist in football regardless of whether it’s about coaches or it’s about players.

“We can only deal with what we know and what we can control, and that’s going into this match.”

Popovic said his side had gained confidence from its 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners before the FIFA international break.

“We finished before the break with a fantastic performance and result against the Central Coast,” he said.

“We know we’re good enough to compete with the best teams, but for many reasons we haven’t had that consistency and we’ve lost too many games, but we can’t change what’s happened, we can only change what’s in front of us.”

Talay said Saturday’s game was “massive” for a Phoenix side intent on securing a home game during the finals series.

“The aim is to finish in the top four so we can play a home final,” he said.

Originally published as Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay rejects ‘speculation’ of him replacing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory