New Socceroos boss reportedly locked in as must-win World Cup qualifiers loom large

The Socceroos have reportedly moved quickly to replace Graham Arnold after the manager pulled the pin on his time in charge of Australia.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 31: Melbourne Victory head coach Tony Popovic celebrates winning the A-League Men round 22 match between Melbourne Victory and Perth Glory at AAMI Park, on March 31, 2024, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images)

Former Socceroos player turned A-League and AFC Champions League-winning manager Tony Popovic is set to be named the new coach of Australia’s men’s side.

Code Sports first reported the former Premier League defender, who played for the Socceroos at the 2006 World Cup, would replace Graham Arnold in charge of the national side.

The speed of the signing suggests talks were already underway before Arnold’s departure.

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Popovic won the race ahead of John Aloisi, currently the coach of Western United, and Carlos Queiroz, previously the coach of Iran and Qatar, while Kevin Muscat was ruled out because he is coaching in the Chinese Super League.

Popovic did not re-sign with Melbourne Victory for the upcoming A-League season. He was the highest-paid coach in the competition and was considered for the job at Croatian giants Hadjuk Split in recent weeks but was overlooked.

Popovic is believed to be the next man up for the Socceroos. Photo by Josh Chadwick/Getty Images

While now based in Europe, Popovic is said to have signed a two-year deal taking him through to the end of the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

However Australia is no sure thing to be there after a poor start to the current stage of AFC qualifying after losing to Bahrain at home, then drawing with Indonesia away.

The results prompted Arnold to quit, after leading the Socceroos into the round of 16 in the 2022 World Cup.

With eight games left, and matches against China (home, October 10) and Japan (away, October 15) to come shortly, the Socceroos are already three points out of the automatic qualification places.

The third and fourth-placers in their six-nation group will advance into another round of qualifying where there are two more direct qualifying spots available, plus a spot in the inter-confederation playoffs.

Originally published as New Socceroos boss reportedly locked in as must-win World Cup qualifiers loom large