Popovic Appointment Promises A New Dawn

So Tony Popovic is to be unveiled as coach of Perth Glory this evening. An appointment that on the face of it shows ambition. After all here was a man whose name was in the mix for the Socceroos job not that long ago.

The news has already had the desired effect, if social media is a barometer, as Glory fans have been reinvigorated with hope. That crucial attribute that every football fan must have. Hope that next season will be different, hope that the new manager will turn things around, hope that the coach will bring in players who can bring success.

Yet why is it amongst many there is not the excitement that such an appointment should bring? Why are some fans remaining ambivalent towards the news?

What the powers that be achieved at Western Sydney Wanderers was beyond remarkable. Tony Popovic assembled a squad in 140 days that went on to be crowned Minor Premiers and lost the Grand Final.

However let us not forget that in those first two seasons Western Sydney Wanderers were allowed to have six foreign players, while the rest of the A-League clubs were restricted to five. This was at the time described by the then head of the A-League Damien de Bohun as being “imperative” in order to make the club competitive, and taking into account how quickly the side was put together.

Popovic made some very astute signings when it came to his foreign players: Shinji Ono (Japan), Youssouf Hersi (Netherlands) Iacopo La Rocca (Italy) Jerome Polenz (Germany), Mateo Poljak (Croatia) and Dino Kresinger (Croatia).

The club rode the crest of a wave in terms of being a new club in a strong football area. They were initially run by the Football Federation of Australia who threw staff behind the club to ensure that it was a success in those early years, so that it would become an attractive proposition to be sold.

At the time we questioned the FFA’s conflict of interest and also the staffing levels. (If You Were Wondering About Wanderers)

In the club’s second season they came second on the League table to Brisbane Roar and again lost the Grand Final also to the Roar. However the piece de la resistance that season was their remarkable success in lifting the Asian Champions League title at their first attempt.

In season three the club had to operate under the same conditions as all the other A-League clubs and with the exception of season 2015/16 – their fourth – when again they came second in the League and lost the Grand Final both times pipped by Adelaide City, there has not been a lot to write home about in terms of the club maintaining the standards it set in year one.

In fact Popovic’s record when he made his ill-fated move to Turkey was that he had coached 142 games won 58, drawn 37, and lost 47. The recently sacked Kenny Lowe’s record was that he had coached 141 games won 61, Drawn 27 and lost 53. In terms of win percentage’s Lowe’s was higher at 43.85% to Popovic’s 40.85%.

The key to Popovic’s success would appear to have been the ability to build a team from scratch. He will not be able to do that at Glory. To assemble the team that he wants is going to take time. That is why it is good to hear that he has a three year contract.

What the fans and the owner must show now is not only faith in Popovic, but also patience. If he achieves success in season one it will be a minor miracle. As long as he is allowed to start to assemble the squad he wants, the players he feels he needs to achieve success, and instils a discipline into the players, that some have felt was lacking in recent years, he will be on the right track.

It is fair to say that his biggest challenge is going to be attracting players to come to Perth to play football. A problem that all of his predecessors have faced. Some due to the high standard of living, and in more recent times due to the reputation of the owner.

Perth Glory is a far cry from Western Sydney Wanderers off the field. It is very much a family affair with Tony Sage as Chairman of a very lean organisation in terms of staff and his wife is Merchandise Manager and his brother is Marketing Manager.

Mr Sage has alienated many followers in Perth over the years he has owned the club and he has stated that he is prepared to sell the club; although the stumbling block has been his desire to keep a percentage.

The appointment of Tony Popovic may well enable him to finally achieve a sale. Popovic is a coach with a strong reputation. He is respected in football circles and by the media. A new owner will most likely be more than happy to buy the club with a man like Popovic at the helm and allow him to see out his contract.

Popovic is ambitious, and you can guarantee he will work every hour there is to not just have Perth Glory in the Finals, but actually contesting the Grand Final. However there has to be a degree of patience, as to ask Popovic to repeat what he did with Western Sydney Wanderers in his first season at Perth Glory is unrealistic.

If he is given that time, and if he is given the funds to bring in the players he wants and the club finds ways to accommodate them within the rules of the salary cap then he may well bring success to fans desperate for it. More importantly that success will drive up the price of the club, and Tony Sage may finally be able to shake hands on a deal that sees him walk away from football.

Tony Popovic’s appointment should be celebrated as it really could be the start of a new era for Perth Glory both on and off the pitch.