Tony Popovic
{{Short description|Australian association football player and manager}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox football biography
| name = Tony Popovic
| image = Tony_Popovic_Managing_Western_Sydney_Wanderers_Training.png
| caption = Popovic as Western Sydney Wanderers manager in 2013
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1973|7|4|df=y}}
| birth_place = Sydney, Australia
| height = 1.93 m
| position = Centre-back
| currentclub = Australia (head coach)
| youthyears1 =
| youthclubs1 = Sydney United
| youthyears2 =
| youthclubs2 =
| years1 = 1989–1997
| clubs1 = Sydney United
| caps1 = 162
| goals1 = 14
| years2 = 1994
| clubs2 = → Canberra FC (loan)
| caps2 = 5
| goals2 = 1
| years3 = 1997–2001
| clubs3 = Sanfrecce Hiroshima
| caps3 = 87
| goals3 = 13
| years4 = 2001–2006
| clubs4 = Crystal Palace
| caps4 = 123
| goals4 = 6
| years5 = 2006–2007
| clubs5 = Al-Arabi
| caps5 = 17
| goals5 = 2
| years6 = 2007–2008
| clubs6 = Sydney FC
| caps6 = 27
| goals6 = 1
| totalcaps = 421
| totalgoals = 37
| nationalyears1 = 1988–1989
| nationalteam1 = Australia U17
| nationalcaps1 = 7
| nationalgoals1 = 2
| nationalyears2 = 1990–1991
| nationalteam2 = Australia U20
| nationalcaps2 = 9
| nationalgoals2 = 1
| nationalyears3 = 1992
| nationalteam3 = Australia U23
| nationalcaps3 = 4
| nationalgoals3 = 0
| nationalyears4 = 1995–2006
| nationalteam4 = Australia
| nationalcaps4 = 58
| nationalgoals4 = 8
| manageryears1 = 2009
| managerclubs1 = Sydney FC (caretaker)
| manageryears4 = 2012–2017
| managerclubs4 = Western Sydney Wanderers
| manageryears5 = 2017
| managerclubs5 = Karabükspor
| manageryears6 = 2018–2020
| managerclubs6 = Perth Glory
| manageryears7 = 2020–2021
| managerclubs7 = Xanthi
| manageryears8 = 2021–2024
| managerclubs8 = Melbourne Victory
| manageryears9 = 2024–
| managerclubs9 = Australia
| medaltemplates = {{MedalCountry|{{fb|AUS}}}}
{{MedalSport|Men's Association football}}
{{MedalCompetition|FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Medal|2nd|1997 Saudi Arabia|}}
{{Medal|3rd|2001 South Korea-Japan|}}
{{MedalCompetition|OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Medal|W|1996 Oceania|}}
{{Medal|W|2000 Tahiti|}}
}}
Tony Popovic (born 4 July 1973) is an Australian association football manager and former player. He is currently head coach of the Australia national football team.
As a player Popovic's usual position was centre-back. Starting in 1989 at Sydney United he went on to play for Sanfrecce Hiroshima of Japan and Premier League side Crystal Palace, among other clubs. He appeared with the Australian national team at the 2006 FIFA World Cup, where he played against reigning World Champions Brazil.
Popovic started his coaching career in 2008 with Sydney FC. After a brief stint as assistant manager at Crystal Palace he was chosen as the inaugural manager of Western Sydney Wanderers at the start of the 2012–13 season. His major achievements as a manager are winning the 2012–13 A-League Premiership and 2014 AFC Champions League with the Wanderers, the 2018–19 A-League Premiership with Perth Glory and an Australia Cup with Melbourne Victory in 2022. He holds the record of coaching the most A-League Grand Final losses with 5 to the end of the 2023/2024 season
He is the father of Kristian and Gabriel Popovic, both of whom are also professional footballers.
Club career
=Early career=
and grew up in Fairfield, New South Wales.{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/poppa-comes-home-to-a-whole-new-ball-game/2007/07/11/1183833599313.html | title=After 12 years, Poppa comes home to a whole new ball game | work=Sydney Morning Herald | date=12 July 2007 | access-date=29 June 2012 | author=Halloran, Jessica | archive-date=7 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107074134/http://www.smh.com.au/news/football/poppa-comes-home-to-a-whole-new-ball-game/2007/07/11/1183833599313.html | url-status=live }} He began his career with Sydney United. He rose through the youth ranks, making 162 appearances in seven years for the first team, before moving to play in the J1 League. Popovic signed with Sanfrecce Hiroshima where he stayed for five years scoring 13 goals in 94 appearances.
=Crystal Palace=
Popovic signed for Crystal Palace on a free transfer in August 2001 from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He became an integral part of the Palace defence, eventually becoming club captain. He played more than 120 matches for Crystal Palace. In his last season he played for Crystal Palace in 21 Premier League matches. In total he made more than 120 appearances for the club.{{cite news | url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/sydney-welcomes-back-milligan/story-e6frf4h3-1111114091012?from=public_rss | title=Sydney welcomes back Milligan | work=Fox Sports | date=2 August 2007 | agency=Australian Associated Press | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-date=4 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004104746/http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/sydney-welcomes-back-milligan/story-e6frf4h3-1111114091012?from=public_rss | url-status=live }}
Popovic's contract with Palace expired at the end of June 2006, and he decided against accepting the club's offer of a new contract. He instead moved to Qatar club, Al-Arabi.
=Sydney FC=
In 2007, with the growth of the A-League and slight homesickness, Popovic moved to Sydney FC, signing a two-year deal, with coach Branko Culina also announcing him the club's captain.{{cite news | url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-08-02/popovic-to-lead-sydney-fc/2520092 | title=Popovic to lead Sydney FC | work=ABC News | date=2 August 2007 | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-date=29 October 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161029002411/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2007-08-02/popovic-to-lead-sydney-fc/2520092 | url-status=live }} Popovic scored his first goal on 28 October 2007 from a corner to beat the Mariners 3–2 in front of his home crowd of 17,850.
Popovic announced his retirement on 11 November 2008 after nearly 20 years as a professional footballer.{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/sydney-fc-skipper-popovic-to-retire/2008/11/11/1226318612389.html | title=Tony Popovic announces retirement | work=Sydney Morning Herald | author=Hassett, Sebastian | date=11 November 2008 | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-date=7 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107074103/http://www.smh.com.au/news/sport/football/a-league/sydney-fc-skipper-popovic-to-retire/2008/11/11/1226318612389.html | url-status=live }}
International career
Popovic competed at the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona for the Australia U23 team. He began his full international career in 1995 with the Australia national team. Over the next eleven years Popovic made 58 appearances for the Socceroos, scoring 8 goals.
The highlight of Popovic's career came in 2006 when the Australian national team qualified for the 2006 FIFA World Cup under the management of Guus Hiddink. He took part in both legs in the qualifying match against Uruguay. Being replaced in the first half of the second leg, due to injury, by Harry Kewell. The tall defender was named in the competing squad and made his World Cup debut against Brazil on 18 June. He suffered a calf injury 40 minutes into the game and was replaced by Mark Bresciano for the second half. His injury ruled him out of Australia's last match in the group stage, against Croatia, and their second round loss against eventual winners, Italy.
On 4 October 2006, Popovic announced his retirement from the Socceroos.{{cite news | url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Popovic-announces-Socceroos-retirement/2006/10/04/1159641376572.html | title=Socceroo defender Moore fails to arrive | work=Sydney Morning Herald | date=4 October 2006 | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-date=3 March 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303182944/http://www.smh.com.au/news/Sport/Popovic-announces-Socceroos-retirement/2006/10/04/1159641376572.html | url-status=live }}
His final game was a friendly against Paraguay that month. He scored his eighth international goal, from a Mark Bresciano free kick, in his final minute on field to put Australia ahead, 1–0 in a game that finished 1–1.
Coaching career
File:Tony Popovic-2010-08-03.jpg
After retiring, Popovic moved into an assistant coach's role with Sydney FC,{{cite news | url=http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/980627/Popovic-Filan-commit-to-Sydney%20Popovic | title=Popovic, Filan commit to Sydney | work=The World Game | date=23 March 2010 | access-date=29 June 2012 | publisher=Special Broadcasting Service | archive-date=1 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200401021335/http://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/news/980627/Popovic-Filan-commit-to-Sydney%20Popovic | url-status=live }} where he remained until February 2011, when he returned to England and to Crystal Palace as first team coach,{{cite news | url=http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/195471,popovic-to-quit-sydney-for-uk.aspx | title=Popovic To Quit Sydney For UK | work=Australian FourFourTwo | date=4 February 2011 | access-date=29 June 2012 | archive-date=3 October 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003134853/http://au.fourfourtwo.com/news/195471,popovic-to-quit-sydney-for-uk.aspx | url-status=dead }} after former teammate Dougie Freedman was appointed manager.{{cite news | url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8839203.Popovic_poised_to_start_Palace_role_at_Coventry/ | title=Popovic poised to start Palace role at Coventry | work=News Shopper | date=8 February 2011 | access-date=29 June 2012 | author=Gentry, Nick | archive-date=14 March 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120314000116/http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/sport/8839203.Popovic_poised_to_start_Palace_role_at_Coventry/ | url-status=live }}
=Western Sydney Wanderers=
On 17 May 2012, Popovic was announced as inaugural manager of A-League club Western Sydney Wanderers.{{cite web |url=http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Popovic-head-coach-for-new-Sydney-club/47377 |title=Popovic head coach for new Sydney club |publisher=Football Federation Australia | date=17 May 2012 |access-date=29 June 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821110048/http://www.footballaustralia.com.au/news-display/Popovic-head-coach-for-new-Sydney-club/47377 | archive-date=21 August 2014 | df=dmy-all }} He joined the club on a four seasons deal after requesting to be released from the final year of his contracted role as assistant manager of Crystal Palace. In Wanderers' first season, Popovic was named A-League Coach of the Year after finishing first in the league.{{cite news|title=Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic named A-League Coach of the Year.|url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/western-sydney-wanderers-coach-tony-popovic-named-a-league-coach-of-the-year/story-fndejhj9-1226621155462|access-date=15 April 2013|newspaper=Adelaide Now|date=15 April 2013|archive-date=20 October 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131020182446/http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/football/western-sydney-wanderers-coach-tony-popovic-named-a-league-coach-of-the-year/story-fndejhj9-1226621155462|url-status=dead}} In the 2013–14 season Popovic led Wanderers to the 2014 AFC Champions League Final in the club's first attempt in the competition. They defeated Al-Hilal in the final, becoming the first Australian team to win the tournament. As a result of this achievement, Popovic was named as the 2014 AFC Coach of the Year.{{Cite web |url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/tony-popovic-nominated-for-2014-afc-coach-of-the-year-award-after-leading-wanderers-to-acl-glory/story-e6frf423-1227126036473 |title=Tony Popovic nominated for 2014 AFC Coach of the Year award after leading Wanderers to ACL glory | Football - Soccer | Fox Sports |access-date=17 November 2014 |archive-date=17 November 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141117221434/http://www.foxsports.com.au/football/tony-popovic-nominated-for-2014-afc-coach-of-the-year-award-after-leading-wanderers-to-acl-glory/story-e6frf423-1227126036473 |url-status=live }} With poor recruiting, the loss of assistant coach Ante Milicic, and a gruelling schedule of matches, the 2014–15 season saw Popovic's team finish ninth in the league and eliminated from the group stage of the 2015 AFC Champions League. Despite an unfavorable season Popovic signed a new three-season deal with Western Sydney Wanderers, which would keep him at the club helm until 2018.{{cite web |title=Popovic Extends Deal to 2018 |url=http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/article/popovic-extends-deal-to-2018/1wgv1yva0p3011qqsspco4qjd6 |publisher=wswanderersfc.com.au |access-date=8 May 2015 |archive-date=3 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803172914/http://www.wswanderersfc.com.au/article/popovic-extends-deal-to-2018/1wgv1yva0p3011qqsspco4qjd6 |url-status=dead }}
=Karabükspor=
On 1 October 2017, Popovic made a shock announcement that he had resigned from Western Sydney Wanderers to coach Turkish Süper Lig club Karabükspor. It came less than a week out from the start of the 2017–18 A-League season.{{cite news|title=Tony Popovic quits as Western Sydney Wanderers A-League coach|newspaper=ABC News|date=October 2017|url=http://abc.net.au/news/2017-10-01/tony-popovic-quits-as-western-sydney-wanderers-a-league-coach/9005472|publisher=ABC|access-date=1 October 2017|archive-date=3 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171003232448/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-10-01/tony-popovic-quits-as-western-sydney-wanderers-a-league-coach/9005472|url-status=live}} After nine games, on 15 December 2017, he was sacked by the club and was owed AUD$1.4M compensation. The club's entire boardroom quit during his time at the club and after he left, the club went into financial administration, began a relegation freefall and were ultimately dissolved in late 2022.{{Cite news|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/tony-popovic-sacked-karabukspor-coach-throws-hat-into-the-ring-for-socceroos-top-job/news-story/4f58fdd62b8d2db5b0ab9a5ef02d05b2|title=Tony Popovic sacked: Karabukspor, Socceroos|date=15 December 2017|work=Fox Sports|access-date=15 December 2017|language=en-GB|archive-date=19 March 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220319223727/https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/socceroos/tony-popovic-sacked-karabukspor-coach-throws-hat-into-the-ring-for-socceroos-top-job/news-story/4f58fdd62b8d2db5b0ab9a5ef02d05b2|url-status=live}}
=Perth Glory=
On 11 May 2018, Popovic was confirmed as Perth Glory's new manager following the dismissal of Kenny Lowe at the end of the 2017–18 season.{{cite web|url=https://www.perthglory.com.au/news/popovic-confirmed-new-head-coach|title=Popovic confirmed as new Head Coach|website=Perth Glory FC|date=11 May 2018 |language=en|access-date=13 January 2019|archive-date=14 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114044436/https://www.perthglory.com.au/news/popovic-confirmed-new-head-coach|url-status=live}} His first game in charge was a pre-season friendly against Chelsea which the Glory lost 0–1.{{cite web|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/chelsea-begin-new-era-in-perth-with-1-0-win-over-gutsy-glory-at-optus-stadium-20180724-p4zt6i.html|title=Chelsea begin new era in Perth with 1–0 win over gutsy Glory at Optus Stadium|date=23 July 2018|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en|access-date=13 January 2019|archive-date=9 November 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109234550/https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/chelsea-begin-new-era-in-perth-with-1-0-win-over-gutsy-glory-at-optus-stadium-20180724-p4zt6i.html|url-status=live}} Under Popovic's management, Perth won the 2018–19 A-League premiership.
=Xanthi FC=
On 26 August 2020, shortly after coaching Perth to a 2–0 loss to Sydney FC in the A-League semi finals, Popovic activated a contractual clause allowing him to leave the club for a European team, after signing with Greek Super League side Xanthi FC, that was bought by Greek-Australian business tycoon Bill Papas. He lasted five months, being sacked with the club in 5th place and four points from the top. Goalkeeping coach Zeljko Kalac stated later that Popovic was sabotaged and fired due to the owners wanting more control over decisions. Papas would later be accused by Australian banking authorities over an alleged loan fraud scheme that cost multiple banks over $500 million AUD in total.{{cite web |url=https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/kalac-slams-disgraceful-aussie-owned-xanthi-over-popovic-sacking-566533 |title=Kalac slams 'disgraceful' Aussie-owned Xanthi over Popovic sacking - FTBL | The home of football in Australia |publisher=FTBL |date= |accessdate=19 March 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202113606/https://www.ftbl.com.au/news/kalac-slams-disgraceful-aussie-owned-xanthi-over-popovic-sacking-566533 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/westpac-goes-after-bill-papas-girlfriend-20211209-p59g5d |title=Westpac goes after Bill Papas' girlfriend over $285m fraud claims |publisher=Afr.com |date=9 December 2021 |accessdate=19 March 2022 |archive-date=2 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202114507/https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/westpac-goes-after-bill-papas-girlfriend-20211209-p59g5d |url-status=live }}
=Melbourne Victory=
On 21 April 2021, Melbourne Victory appointed Popovic head coach on a three-year contract to replace Grant Brebner and Steve Kean, who coached the team to last place in the previous season.{{cite web|url=https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/victory-appoints-tony-popovic|title=Victory appoints Tony Popovic|publisher=Melbourne Victory FC|access-date=5 February 2022|date=21 April 2021|archive-date=2 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220202113948/https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/victory-appoints-tony-popovic|url-status=live}} Popovic had early success, bringing the club back to the top of the A-League table after eight games and winning the 2021 FFA Cup on 5 February 2022.
After guiding Melbourne Victory to the 2024 A-League Grand Final, which they lost to the Central Coast Mariners,{{cite web|url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/football/a-league/aleague-grand-final-2024-central-coast-mariners-comeback-against-melbourne-victory-extra-time-game-highlights-celebrations-historic-treble/news-story/e1014035ab9424cece16efc583e2f8ff|title=Epic scenes as Mariners complete historic A-League fairytale in extra-time thriller|publisher=Fox Sports {Australia|date=26 May 2024}} Popovic left Melbourne Victory at the end of the season.{{cite web|url=https://melbournevictory.com.au/news/tony-popovic-departs-melbourne-victory/|title=Tony Popovic departs Melbourne Victory|publisher=Melbourne Victory FC|date=12 June 2024}}
=Australia=
Popovic was named as the head coach of the Australian national team on 23 September 2024.{{cite web|url=https://www.socceroos.com.au/news/test-1|title=Football Australia appoints Tony Popovic as Head Coach of the Subway Socceroos|publisher=Football Australia|date=23 September 2024}}
Career statistics
=Club=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition{{NFT player|427|accessdate=}} | ||||||||
| rowspan="2"|Club
!rowspan="2"|Season !colspan="3"|League !colspan="2"|National cup{{efn|Includes Emperor's Cup, FA Cup, Emir Cup.}} !colspan="2"|League cup{{efn|Includes J.League Cup, League Cup, Sheikh Jassem Cup.}} !colspan="2"|Total | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| rowspan="9"|Sydney United{{efn|"Sydney Croatia" until 1993}}
|1989–90 |rowspan="4"|National Soccer League |13 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |||||
| 1990–91
|17 | 1 | 17 | 1 | |||||
| 1991–92
|20 | 1 | 20 | 1 | |||||
| 1992–93
|24 | 2 | 24 | 2 | |||||
| 1993–94
|rowspan="4"|National Soccer League |27 | 2 | 27 | 2 | |||||
| 1994–95
|25 | 3 | 25 | 3 | |||||
| 1995–96
|29 | 4 | 29 | 4 | |||||
| 1996–97
|7 | 2 | 7 | 2 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!162 | 15 | 162 | 15 | |||||
| rowspan="6"|Sanfrecce Hiroshima
|1997 |rowspan="5"|J1 League |11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 17 | 0 | |
| 1998
|25 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 30 | 6 | |
| 1999
|23 | 6 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 29 | 6 | |
| 2000
|21 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 26 | 5 | |
| 2001
|7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!87 | 13 | 10 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 109 | 17 | |
| rowspan="6"|Crystal Palace
|2001–02 |rowspan="3"|First Division |20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 21 | 2 | |||
| 2002–03
|36 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 40 | 4 | |||
| 2003–04
|30 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 1 | |||
| 2004–05
|23 | 0 | 23 | 0 | |||||
| 2005–06
|12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 | |
| colspan="2"|Total
!119 | 7 | 5 | 0 | 119 | 7 | |||
| Al-Arabi
|2006–07 |17 | 2 | 17 | 2 | |||||
| rowspan="3"|Sydney FC
|2007–08 |rowspan="2"|A-League |20 | 1 | |20 | 1 | |||||
| 2008–09
|7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |||||
| colspan="2"|Total
!27 | 1 | 27 | 1 | |||||
| colspan="3"|Career total
!412 | 38 | 15 | 1 | 12 | 3 | 439 | 42 |
{{notelist}}
=International=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year | |||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| rowspan="12"|Australia
|1995 | 8 | 0 | |
| 1996 | 10 | 0 | |
| 1997 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1998 | 2 | 0 | |
| 1999 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 7 | 1 | |
| 2001 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2002 | 0 | 0 | |
| 2003 | 2 | 1 | |
| 2004 | 5 | 0 | |
| 2005 | 8 | 0 | |
| 2006 | 4 | 1 | |
| colspan="2"|Total | 58 | 8 |
:Scores and results list Australia's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Popovic goal.
| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ List of international goals scored by Tony Popovic | ||||||
| scope="col"|No.
!scope="col"|Date !scope="col"|Venue !scope="col"|Opponent !scope="col"|Score !scope="col"|Result !scope="col"|Competition | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| style="text-align:center"|1 | 19 June 2000 | Papeete, Tahiti | {{fb|COK}} | {{center|10–0}} | style="text-align:center"|17–0 | OFC Nations Cup |
| style="text-align:center"|2 | 9 April 2001 | BCU International Stadium, Australia | {{fb|TGA}} | {{center|15–0}} | style="text-align:center"|22–0 | 2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|3 | rowspan="2"|11 April 2001 | rowspan="2"|BCU International Stadium, Australia | rowspan="2"|{{fb|ASA}} | {{center|5–0}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|31–0 | rowspan="2"|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|4 | {{center|6–0}} | |||||
| style="text-align:center"|5 | rowspan="2"|16 April 2001 | rowspan="2"|BCU International Stadium, Australia | rowspan="2"|{{fb|SAM}} | {{center|5–0}} | rowspan="2" style="text-align:center"|11–0 | rowspan="2"|2002 FIFA World Cup qualification |
| style="text-align:center"|6 | {{center|11–0}} | |||||
| style="text-align:center"|7 | 12 February 2003 | Boleyn Ground, London, England | {{fb|ENG}} | {{center|1–0}} | style="text-align:center"|3–1 | Friendly |
| style="text-align:center"|8 | 7 September 2006 | Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia | {{fb|PAR}} | {{center|1–0}} | style="text-align:center"|1–1 | Friendly |
=Managerial statistics=
{{updated|match played 25 March 2025}}{{cite web |title=Tony Popovic |url=https://aleaguestats.com/A-League%20(Men)_41_23CoachingHistory.html |website=ALeagueStats |access-date=21 December 2024}}{{cite web|title=Tony Popovic|url=https://aleagues.com.au/news/tony-popovic-departs-melbourne-victory-details-aleague-latest-news/}}
| class="wikitable" style="text-align: center" | ||||
| rowspan=2|Team
!rowspan=2|From !rowspan=2|To !colspan=5|Record | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| G | W | D | L | Win % |
| align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Western Sydney Wanderers
|align=left|17 May 2012 |align=left|1 October 2017 {{WDL|180|77|40|63}} | ||||
| align=left|{{flagicon|TUR}} Karabükspor
|align=left|1 October 2017 |align=left|15 December 2017 {{WDL|11|3|0|8}} | ||||
| align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Perth Glory
|align=left|11 May 2018 |align=left|2 September 2020 {{WDL|60|30|13|17}} | ||||
| align=left|{{flagicon|GRE}} Xanthi
|align=left|2 September 2020 |align=left|22 February 2021 {{WDL|9|4|3|2}} | ||||
| align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Melbourne Victory
|align=left|21 April 2021 |align=left|12 June 2024 {{WDL|94|40|26|28}} | ||||
| align=left|{{flagicon|AUS}} Australia
|align=left|23 September 2024 |align=left|Present {{WDL|6|3|3|0}} | ||||
| colspan=3|Total
{{WDLtot|360|157|85|118}} |
Honours
=Player=
Australia
- FIFA Confederations Cup: 3rd place, 2001{{Cite web |url=http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/teams/team=43976/index.html |title=Archived copy |access-date=October 14, 2024 |archive-date=January 22, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160122105959/http://www.fifa.com/confederationscup/archive/koreajapan2001/teams/team=43976/index.html |url-status=dead }}
- OFC Nations Cup: 1996,{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/96oc.html|title=Oceania Nations Cup 1996|access-date=October 14, 2024}} 2000{{Cite web|url=https://www.rsssf.org/tables/00oc.html|title=Oceania Nations Cup 2000|access-date=October 14, 2024}}
=Manager=
Western Sydney Wanderers
- A-League Men: Premiers 2012–13; runner-up 2013–14, 2015–16
- A-League Men Finals runner-up: 2013, 2014, 2016
- AFC Champions League: 2014
Perth Glory
Melbourne Victory
- A-League Men Regular Season runner-up: 2021–22
- A-League Men Finals runner-up: 2024
- Australia Cup: 2021
Assistant Coach for
Sydney FC
=Individual=
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category}}
- {{FIFA player}}
- {{NFT player}}
- {{J.League player}}
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20070915035439/http://sydneyfc.com/default.aspx?s=sydfc_playerprofile_item&pid=295 Player profile – Tony Popovic] Sydney FC
- [http://www.ozfootball.net/ark/Players/P/PO.html Australian Player Database] Oz Football
{{Current managers of AFC national teams}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Awards
| bg = gold
| list1 =
{{AFC Champions League winning managers}}
{{A-League Manager of the Year}}
{{AFC Coach of the Year}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Australia squads
| bg = #FCD116
| fg = #008751
| bordercolor = #008751
| list1 =
{{Australia Squad 1992 Summer Olympics}}
{{Australia Squad 1996 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2000 OFC Nations Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup}}
{{Australia Squad 2006 FIFA World Cup}}
}}
{{Navboxes
| title = Managerial positions
| list1 =
{{Western Sydney Wanderers FC managers}}
{{Perth Glory FC head coaches}}
{{Xanthi F.C. managers}}
{{Melbourne Victory FC head coaches}}
{{Australia national football team managers}}
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Popovic, Tony}}
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