Tony Popovic

Tony Popovic is one of Australian football's most decorated and respected figures, a leader who has proven himself at the highest level as both a player and a coach.

Synonymous with Australian football both as a player and coach, Tony Popovic was appointed the Subway Socceroos Head Coach in September 2024, marking a new era for the national team. Popovic engineered an unbeaten run through World Cup qualifying, securing Australia's direct berth for the 2026 FIFA World Cup and setting himself up to become the first Australian to appear at a World Cup as both player and coach.

Capped 58 times for the Socceroos between 1995 and 2006, Popovic enjoyed a successful career for both club and country. He was part of the squad that ended Australia's 32-year World Cup drought in 2005 and went on to represent his country at the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Popovic played professionally in Australia, Japan, England, and Qatar, including a significant stint with Crystal Palace in the English Premier League, where he was named captain for the team. He retired professionally in 2008 before venturing into coaching as the inaugural head coach of Western Sydney Wanderers. Popovic led the club to a stunning 2014 AFC Champions League title defeating Asia's best-resourced clubs to become the first, and still only, Australian coach to achieve the feat. He went on to revive fallen giants Perth Glory and Melbourne Victory, taking both from the bottom of the table to Premiership and Grand Final contention, and was named A-League Coach of the Year three times.

Drawing on more than two decades at the top of world football, Popovic brings audiences a first-hand experience in what it really takes to build a team culture that wins.