Poppa Out

[Barca4life]

My main issue with local coaches is that they all have different ideas and views that don't align with long term growth of the Socceroos. It's very much focused on immediate results and not on developing a long term sustainable pathway that produces talent to sustain us for a longer period of time.

I'm not saying that only an International coach can provide this, but they are more likely to be able to develop this over our local coaches.

This!

Too many of our coaches are different within their own right, its doesn't make them bad coaches but without a national philosophy you are going to get mixed results.

A more healthy, holistically option should be a TD or national technical committee overnighting a national philosophy where all coaches are trained under and can be implemented at all national youth age national teams and eventually onto to the senior national team.

Of course each club has its own philosophy but I think each coach that is trained and the clubs should understand the national style of play so players and coaches can move up the system I think this is how top football countries operate such as Spain, France, Netherlands etc which is why they have no problem finding coaches and players that can fit in quite easily.

 

[patjennings]

I'm just throwing a name out we can afford. I'd prefer Muscat. I wish we had a technical director. He could provide direction to Popovic to loosen the reins.

Not exactly a budget choice.

Manager Comparison

Manager	Current / Most Recent Role	Estimated Annual Salary (AUD)	Financial & Contract Context
Ange Postecoglou	Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League)	$15,000,000+	Signed a historic multi-year contract in Saudi Arabia following high-earning Premier League tenures.
Kevin Muscat	Shanghai Port (Chinese Super League)	$3,100,000 – $3,800,000	Commands a premium multi-million dollar Asian package after guiding Port to consecutive CSL crowns.
Hervé Renard	Free Agent / Former Tunisia Coach	$1,800,000 – $3,500,000 (Baseline)	Earned a rapid $320,000 AUD flat fee for a 2-match emergency World Cup stint with Tunisia. Market baseline remains elite.
John Aloisi	Chengdu Rongcheng (Chinese Super League)	$1,800,000 – $2,500,000	Operating at the top end of the modern Chinese market to lead elite domestic title contenders.
Nick Montgomery	Beijing Guoan (Chinese Super League)	$1,500,000 – $2,200,000	Left his UK assistant track to secure a premium CSL manager deal, launching with a Chinese Super Cup trophy.
Graham Arnold	Iraq National Team (Head Coach)	$1,500,000 – $2,000,000	Transitioned to a highly competitive international package leading Iraq's national setups.
Tony Popovic	Australia (Socceroos Head Coach)	$1,200,000 – $1,500,000	Signed an extension through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup cycle with performance upgrades.
Ross Aloisi	Zhejiang FC (Chinese Super League)	$400,000 – $650,000	Foreign assistant coaches in elite Chinese Super League environments command strong six-figure packages.
Sérgio Raimundo	Free Agent (Seeking Head Coach Role)	$350,000 – $600,000 (Projected)	Left his assistant path under Ange Postecoglou to actively target a primary senior manager vacancy.
Joe Montemurro	Australia (Matildas Head Coach)	$350,000 – $500,000	Signed a record-breaking 3-year contract running through the LA 2028 Olympics.
Harry Kewell	Hanoi FC (V.League 1)	$300,000 – $500,000	High-profile marquee foreign coaches in the Vietnamese top tier command premium six-figure terms.
Mark Milligan	Newcastle Jets (A-League Men)	$250,000 – $350,000	Managing on a standard entry-to-mid-tier domestic senior head coach contract with the Newcastle Jets.
René Meulensteen	Free Agent (Former Socceroos Asst.)	$250,000 – $400,000	Long-serving elite international assistant coaches on the open market benchmark in the mid-six-figures.

 

[Quicky]

Not exactly a budget choice.

Manager Comparison

Manager	Current / Most Recent Role	Estimated Annual Salary (AUD)	Financial & Contract Context
Ange Postecoglou	Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League)	$15,000,000+	Signed a historic multi-year contract in Saudi Arabia following high-earning Premier League tenures.
Kevin Muscat	Shanghai Port (Chinese Super League)	$3,100,000 – $3,800,000	Commands a premium multi-million dollar Asian package after guiding Port to consecutive CSL crowns.
Hervé Renard	Free Agent / Former Tunisia Coach	$1,800,000 – $3,500,000 (Baseline)	Earned a rapid $320,000 AUD flat fee for a 2-match emergency World Cup stint with Tunisia. Market baseline remains elite.
John Aloisi	Chengdu Rongcheng (Chinese Super League)	$1,800,000 – $2,500,000	Operating at the top end of the modern Chinese market to lead elite domestic title contenders.
Nick Montgomery	Beijing Guoan (Chinese Super League)	$1,500,000 – $2,200,000	Left his UK assistant track to secure a premium CSL manager deal, launching with a Chinese Super Cup trophy.
Graham Arnold	Iraq National Team (Head Coach)	$1,500,000 – $2,000,000	Transitioned to a highly competitive international package leading Iraq's national setups.
Tony Popovic	Australia (Socceroos Head Coach)	$1,200,000 – $1,500,000	Signed an extension through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup cycle with performance upgrades.
Ross Aloisi	Zhejiang FC (Chinese Super League)	$400,000 – $650,000	Foreign assistant coaches in elite Chinese Super League environments command strong six-figure packages.
Sérgio Raimundo	Free Agent (Seeking Head Coach Role)	$350,000 – $600,000 (Projected)	Left his assistant path under Ange Postecoglou to actively target a primary senior manager vacancy.
Joe Montemurro	Australia (Matildas Head Coach)	$350,000 – $500,000	Signed a record-breaking 3-year contract running through the LA 2028 Olympics.
Harry Kewell	Hanoi FC (V.League 1)	$300,000 – $500,000	High-profile marquee foreign coaches in the Vietnamese top tier command premium six-figure terms.
Mark Milligan	Newcastle Jets (A-League Men)	$250,000 – $350,000	Managing on a standard entry-to-mid-tier domestic senior head coach contract with the Newcastle Jets.
René Meulensteen	Free Agent (Former Socceroos Asst.)	$250,000 – $400,000	Long-serving elite international assistant coaches on the open market benchmark in the mid-six-figures.

Milligan was the budget choice. Muscat is the not budget choice I'd prefer.

 

[Pasquali]

 

[Alex M]

It doesn't bother me that we are defence first. I think with the players we have that's sensible. But every Australian sporting team has an attacking intent. With this team that needed to be an intent to counter aggressively imo. This plays into our defensive strengths but gives us an outlet to go at the other team and punch back. Popovic's team had nothing going forward. It needs to change.

It doesn't bother me either. What does bother me is some people seem to think that we have some flowing attacking style that is part of our DNA when its clearly not. You are right that it's something that we need to develop and improve on. Right now we have top 15 defence, and top 60 attack.

 

[Mr Cleansheets]

I don't mind Harry Kewell becoming the new Socceroos head coach especially since his bold, attacking style of play means that we can play entertaining football as opposed to being bored to death by Popaball and its ultra-defensive park the bus mentality and he has experience head coaching in Europe.

I know people who have worked with Harry, and ... no. He's not up to the task.

At least not yet. He might grow into the job in future but right now he has (apparently) no insight into modern strategy and his man management leaves a great deal to be desired. His entire coaching philosophy is based on his own playing experience ... and lots of shouting.

Allegedly...

I'd be interested in Johnny Aloisi getting a go (then Milligan). I didn't rate JA as a coach until he went to WU. Did great things with that team and I think he'd do very well as Socceroos coach.

 

[Encomium]

I know people who have worked with Harry, and ... no. He's not up to the task.

At least not yet. He might grow into the job in future but right now he has (apparently) no insight into modern strategy and his man management leaves a great deal to be desired. His entire coaching philosophy is based on his own playing experience ... and lots of shouting.

Allegedly...

I'd be interested in Johnny Aloisi getting a go (then Milligan). I didn't rate JA as a coach until he went to WU. Did great things with that team and I think he'd do very well as Socceroos coach.

Yeah, I didn't rate him much at City, but over the years and especially at WU he did pretty well, I wouldn't be against it.

 

[socceroosmad]

I know people who have worked with Harry, and ... no. He's not up to the task.

At least not yet. He might grow into the job in future but right now he has (apparently) no insight into modern strategy and his man management leaves a great deal to be desired. His entire coaching philosophy is based on his own playing experience ... and lots of shouting.

Allegedly...

I'd be interested in Johnny Aloisi getting a go (then Milligan). I didn't rate JA as a coach until he went to WU. Did great things with that team and I think he'd do very well as Socceroos coach.

Hire both of them

 

[JM47]

I don't like that as much as I agree. You're a professional, how stupid can you be...

 

[Hounddog]

It doesn't bother me either. What does bother me is some people seem to think that we have some flowing attacking style that is part of our DNA when its clearly not. You are right that it's something that we need to develop and improve on. Right now we have top 15 defence, and top 60 attack.

There are reasons why teams play the styles they do.

We need more talent to play a more attacking style either one truly elite world class talent who scores lots of goals very regularly or 2-3 world class talents who are regular starters at elite European clubs.

Otherwise it is a slow grind and a lack of talent will always keep us outside the top 20 in attack.

I agree, our defence is top 15.

In most sports defence is coaching, fitness, team work, communication, and effort, attack is usually down to talent.

 

[Bbouy]

Locked in till the Asian Cup. As long as we progress our style of play in the windows later this year, I don't mind it.

 

[Frankly Speaking]

Harry Kewell is running well in the Vietnamese league despite his previous failures head coaching in Europe but if we had to go for one of the Aloisi brethren as Socceroos head coach then arguably John Aloisi would be better compared to Ross Aloisi.

Vietnam is a fabulous, football mad country and Hanoi is a great city. Great place to coach.

 

[Pasquali]

Locked in till the Asian Cup. As long as we progress our style of play in the windows later this year, I don't mind it.

how does heather almost say popa molested our standards

 

[patjennings]

Not exactly a budget choice.

Manager Comparison

Manager	Current / Most Recent Role	Estimated Annual Salary (AUD)	Financial & Contract Context
Ange Postecoglou	Al-Nassr (Saudi Pro League)	$15,000,000+	Signed a historic multi-year contract in Saudi Arabia following high-earning Premier League tenures.
Kevin Muscat	Shanghai Port (Chinese Super League)	$3,100,000 – $3,800,000	Commands a premium multi-million dollar Asian package after guiding Port to consecutive CSL crowns.
Hervé Renard	Free Agent / Former Tunisia Coach	$1,800,000 – $3,500,000 (Baseline)	Earned a rapid $320,000 AUD flat fee for a 2-match emergency World Cup stint with Tunisia. Market baseline remains elite.
John Aloisi	Chengdu Rongcheng (Chinese Super League)	$1,800,000 – $2,500,000	Operating at the top end of the modern Chinese market to lead elite domestic title contenders.
Nick Montgomery	Beijing Guoan (Chinese Super League)	$1,500,000 – $2,200,000	Left his UK assistant track to secure a premium CSL manager deal, launching with a Chinese Super Cup trophy.
Graham Arnold	Iraq National Team (Head Coach)	$1,500,000 – $2,000,000	Transitioned to a highly competitive international package leading Iraq's national setups.
Tony Popovic	Australia (Socceroos Head Coach)	$1,200,000 – $1,500,000	Signed an extension through the 2027 AFC Asian Cup cycle with performance upgrades.
Ross Aloisi	Zhejiang FC (Chinese Super League)	$400,000 – $650,000	Foreign assistant coaches in elite Chinese Super League environments command strong six-figure packages.
Sérgio Raimundo	Free Agent (Seeking Head Coach Role)	$350,000 – $600,000 (Projected)	Left his assistant path under Ange Postecoglou to actively target a primary senior manager vacancy.
Joe Montemurro	Australia (Matildas Head Coach)	$350,000 – $500,000	Signed a record-breaking 3-year contract running through the LA 2028 Olympics.
Harry Kewell	Hanoi FC (V.League 1)	$300,000 – $500,000	High-profile marquee foreign coaches in the Vietnamese top tier command premium six-figure terms.
Mark Milligan	Newcastle Jets (A-League Men)	$250,000 – $350,000	Managing on a standard entry-to-mid-tier domestic senior head coach contract with the Newcastle Jets.
René Meulensteen	Free Agent (Former Socceroos Asst.)	$250,000 – $400,000	Long-serving elite international assistant coaches on the open market benchmark in the mid-six-figures.

Look - I'm not calling for any particular manager. I think the Popovic initial appointment and extension were quick short term ill-considered moves by the FA.

As many have said - Football Australia currently does not have a designated Technical Director. So who is making the decisions about how we want to play and who is the appropriate manager to deliver that.

 

[Ainsley Harriott]

I'm starting to wonder if there is a rift in camp?

You had Ryan dropped out of nowhere for the first game. Turned out to be the right call, but Ryan indicated it was a hunch Poppa had, which I can't imagine went down that well with him. Then he comes out and says his penalty substitution was not planned, kinda throwing Poppa under the bus a bit.

Toure dint look up for it yesterday at all. If he was injured, why is he playing. If he's not injured, why has he not played more. Dont think he is very happy.

Volpato looked pissed getting subbed against Egypt, which I concede is most likely nothing, but could be something there.

You had the Sega and Triantis situation.

Now Nestor liking a post saying he was played out of position for the last 3 games, which he was. He was completely wasted in the 9 position.

I think JS has stated on here a few times, he thinks the players hate playing this system. Looks like that maybe the case. I could be clutching here, but players have got coaches removed before?

 

[Encomium]

Locked in till the Asian Cup. As long as we progress our style of play in the windows later this year, I don't mind it.

TBH they wouldn't say anything else publicly, behind doors is another thing.

 

[JS96]

There are definitely some unhappy players in the camp. You'd have to watch training footage carefully to see who enjoys interacting with the other.

This is normal for groups to have your preferred team mates and others you won't click with.

I think it's more the frustration of the system. The players are smart footballers who can see it's not getting the best out of them. Irankunda as a striker is so obviously dumb. Metcalfe is much better more narrow. Volpato just wants more and gets taken off.

 

[patjennings]

From another thread

Bring in Arsène Wenger in his official capacity as FIFA’s Chief of Global Football Development to bypass domestic politics and fix the system.

Wenger’s actual mandate at FIFA is to audit national high-performance ecosystems and improve global coaching standards, Football Australia calling him in as an emergency consultant is the right move.

Tony Popovic is under heavy fire following the Round of 32 World Cup exit, and the AFC Asian Cup fast approaching in January 2027, so a replacement is very unlikely until after the Asian Cup. But Football Australia needs to be ready to move immediately after - first for the Technical Director. We don't want to be having the same conversation after the Asian Cup

Likely Technical Director profile
This is likely to be a master development mind — someone who has overseen elite academies in Europe or Japan (where Wenger coached and heavily influenced their modern system). Can we afford it? Can we afford not to?

Likely National Manager profile
Without wanting to put words into Arsene's advice the manger it is likely this is the profile he would recommend for the Manager

1. Proactive Tactical Identity: A manager committed to high-tempo, possession-based, attacking football. He would veto defensive, reactive managers who rely on low-blocks and long balls.
2. Track Record with Youth: Because Australia needs to transition to a new generation, the manager must have a proven history of blooding teenagers and trust them on the big stage, mirroring Wenger's famous Arsenal philosophies.
3. International Tournament Pedigree: Someone holding a UEFA Pro Licence (ideally) or AFC Pro Licence with prior experience navigating the high-pressure environments of continental or World Cup tournaments.

Can we afford it? Can we afford not to?

Obviously the Technical Director role is the important one first up to identify the style of play, review/rewrite the national curriculum and ultimately choose or lead the team choosing the the national manager to match the style that is chosen to represent the 'Australian Way'.

Then we are in the right position to make an informed decision to move forward with Popovic or a new manager post Asian Cup

 

[Quicky]

It doesn't bother me either. What does bother me is some people seem to think that we have some flowing attacking style that is part of our DNA when its clearly not. You are right that it's something that we need to develop and improve on. Right now we have top 15 defence, and top 60 attack.

If that's what you've taken from my posts you've mis-interpreted them. An Australian team needs to be aggressive and have some intent to attack and take the game up to the opponent. That can be achieved in different ways. With this team I'm suggesting aggressive and quick counter attacks. I haven't said anything about a flowing style.

 

[JS96]

Australia had a decent attacking style play for many decades. We'd go hard and push for a goal and often get one.

The trouble is it was coached out of the Leckie and Kruse brigade and now we're starting to get it back.

We're nowhere near as bad as the boring play that teams like Ireland have. It's down to Popovic and we need a coach to allow our decent attackers to attack.