Tony Popovic reflects on "whirlwind start" as Subway Socceroos boss
Tony Popovic sat down for an exclusive chat with Football Australia Media, discussing a range of topics.
In part one of our in-depth interview, the Subway Socceroos Head Coach started out by reflecting on his time in charge since his appointment in September last year and the primary attributes he is looking for when monitoring players at home and overseas.
He also discussed how he is using the time between windows to identify areas of improvement as preparations continue ahead of March's crucial FIFA World Cup 2026™ Qualifiers against Indonesia and China PR.
Read on or watch in the player above to hear what Popovic had to say.
Four months into the role
Firstly, enjoyable. It's a great honour and privilege to be in the role. Yeah, I think from a whirlwind start in terms of not having a lot of time to prepare and get to know the players, where we had two games in October and then November was a three-week gap before we got together again. So it all happened quite quickly, but this period has been a good period to reflect. Review what we've done, review our performances, look at the areas we can improve and hope that we can get more players in our pool of selection. So a lot of watching players in this period, and just looking forward to the games in March, and we know how important the games are. They're vital to our qualification, and we want to make sure that we're best prepared for those games.
Maximising the extended hiatus to review processes
We're using the time to review everything we've done in October and November. Whether that was in camp or on the pitch, off the pitch, and just to look at the details that we can improve, because obviously we don't have a lot of time together with the group. So you might get a few sessions, a few days in camp prior to the first game, and just trying to utilise that time best and be very effective with our time, and make sure that our messages are clear. The boys are ready to come in and give their all to play for their country, and we want them to enjoy being part of the group as well.
Key traits when scouting players domestically and abroad
You're looking to see whether the player can add value to the style of play that we want to bring out with the national team. Consistent, strong performances are key. So if they're playing at a high level consistently well, that gets them really match hardened, where you're going through difficulty of playing every three or four days, as is the case in Europe, and you've got to back up and perform at a high level, which puts those players in good position to back up twice in four days, with travel as well when you play for your national team. So that's what we're looking for around Europe and here in Australia, of course, a little bit different.
We're dealing with one game a week, but we're also dealing with hot conditions. So players that can show that consistency with travel, with climate issues. We're looking to see which players can handle that and not just have one good performance, but can they put together five, six, seven good games. So we're not overlooking any league. Anyone that's playing has a chance, and we're seeing some good signs from players, both here and abroad.
Assessing the first two windows and climbing into second place
Positive. We're always looking to see what we can do better. But I think the players have taken on our ideas really well. They've embraced them. We've had different situations, different scenarios in each game, where we've had to come from behind. We've been in front, and then in our last match, we were quite comfortable, had a five minute bad period. You go behind, and then the players showed some great character to come back again.
So we've seen that physically and mentally, that the players are able to deal with the difficulties that you have throughout a match and different moments, and it gives us confidence moving forward. We're in a good position, we're in the position we want to be in. We're in the top two. We have the opportunity to stay there. So it's in our hands, and we know that this first game against Indonesia in March, here at home, here in Sydney, we can really build on that platform that we've put together so far.
Most enjoyable aspects of the role and embracing pressure
I think the stress of just wanting to get the players in the best shape possible in every aspect, whether that's physically, if it's players recovering, players that need training technically to get them to understand the football we want to play and tactically. But also mentally, to make sure the players understand that playing for your country is a step up. It's the greatest honour. It is pressure, but we should embrace that pressure, and that's what we want the players to do. To understand that it's a World Cup qualifier. We know how much is on the line, but we're in a position that we can use that pressure to our advantage, and that's why we're here.
We've been selected amongst a very small group to help our nation go to another World Cup. And we want the players to enjoy that, understand what's at stake, but for them to embrace it, that they can put their best foot forward, and that we can all play our part, whether it's staff, or its admin staff, everyone plays their part in getting the players ready on the field, and then we want the players to execute the game plan, to enjoy themselves out there and really put in that real fighting spirit that's a part of our culture here. And that we leave no stone unturned in our quest to get to the World Cup.
