Tony Popovic has sensationally walked out on the Western Sydney Wanderers on the eve of the A-League preseason.


In what is surely the most shocking turn of events, Tony Popovic has left the Western Sydney Wanderers to take up an offer from and undisclosed club in the J-League. The move has sent shock-waves throughout the Australian footballing community as it has surely come as a shock to all.

"I can't believe it, one day they're in the grand final and the next they're without their coach. Unbelievable.."

- Mark Bosnich

"This is a massive blow to the Wanderers and the A-League in general. Australia have lost a young and talented home grown manager to the J-League."

- Robbie Slater

Popovic enjoyed great success with the Wanderers leading them into two grand finals in their first 2 years in the A-League. Popovic on numerous occasions confessed his love for the club and the city of Sydney but it seems that a big money offer has changed all of that.

Neither the Western Sydney Wanderers or Popovic are yet to make a statement on the situation or about a possible replacement with a plethora of names in the mix. Many suspect that the Wanderers will shop around for a new manager where as other sources indicate that assistant coach, Marko Zizovic may well take the reigns.

good luck mate! welcome to the site, and its great to see an aussie story around here.

2014-06-10 10:11#179475 fzemdegs : good luck mate! welcome to the site, and its great to see an aussie story around here.

Thanks heaps man! Hopefully this will be a really fun and regular save.

As Feliks said, as an aussie interesting to see an A-League story floating about! Hopefully you can do good things and good start to your story!

The Western Sydney Wanderers have appointed assistant coach, Mirko Zizovic as the new manager of the Western Sydney Wanderers.


The Western Sydney Wanderers have wasted no time in finding a successor for the recently departed Tony Popovic. The Western Sydney Wanderers have appointed Popovic's protege, Mirko Zizovic in a deal that will keep him out west for the next 3 years.

The move comes as a shock to most with many expecting the Wanderers to seek out a more experienced manager. The Western Sydney Wanderers however feel Zizovic is the man for the club and have completely backed the A-Leagues youngest ever manager.

"We knew who we wanted as soon as the news came through that Tony was leaving. Mirko has been in the Australian football system longer than most and won't be out of his depth. The board completely back Mirko and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future."

- Paul Lederer, Chairman of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Western Sydney Wanderers chairman, Paul Lederer was very grateful but was very keen to move when asked about how he felt about Popovic leaving the club.

"The club and the fans will always remember Tony and be grateful for everything he has done and achieved here in his short stay. We have to move on though, Tony is now in the past and we are looking forward."

- Paul Lederer, Chairman of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Mirko Zizovic is yet to make a statement about his appointment however he is set for a press conference in the hours.

nice appointment mate. i thought ante milicic was his assistant manager tho

New Wanderers manager, Mirko Zizovic has faced the media for the first time as a senior first team manager. Ziziovic did not disappoint in his first ever press confrence offering the swagger and charm that is usually possessed by seasoned veterans. Zizovic was bombarded with multiple question both pessimistic and optimistic but remained calm and came through with flying colors.

James Lomas, The Daily Western. - "Mirko how does it feel to be the man chosen to take this almost brand new club t the future?"

Mirko Zizovic - "It is a great privilege and I am truly humbled to be appointed as the manager for the Western Sydney Wanderers. I hold this club dear to my heart as I grew up in the western suburbs as a child. I truly am excited about the task at hand."

Linda Carroll, The Sydney Express. - "Some people have spoken out about your appointment claiming it was rushed and that you may not be the man for the job. What do you have to say to those who feel you are undeserving of this role?"

Mirko Zizovic - "I will let my squad and our style of play do the talking, I am not one to sit here and promise you title after title after title. That's not the nature of my squad either, we will work hard and that is how we will go about our business."

Marco Belpieri, GOAL.Com - "Firstly, congratulations on your appointment Mirko. Are you willing to comment on any playing styles you will adopt, you mentioned earlier "your style of play". What is your style of play?"

Mirko Zizovic - "Tiki Taka. We will play exciting attacking football, from the first whistle to the last we will try to score goals and attack. Big European clubs can do it and do it well, why can't we?"

Jack Nolan, Sky Sports. - "Do you have any transfer targets or transfer policy that you are willing to share at this current time?"

Mirko Zizovic - "I have no policy, if you can play in our system and play with your heart I don't care where you come from or how old you are. I am not in the business of politics, I am in the business of Football, the beautiful game. There is no set template in football and that is how we will go about building our squad."

Mason Jones, Fox Sports News. - "Who is your number 1 target with the departure of Shinji Ono?"

Mirko Zizovic. - "Leo Messi - Haha"

Mirko Zizovic has instantly become a crowd favorite among fans and journalists a like. Results aren't achieved in the press room but Mirko Zizovic has certainly announced himself in the A-League.

Mirko Zizovic has marked his intent the signing of Sezer Öztürk which is his first major signing in charge of the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Sezer Öztürk has joined the Western Sydney Wanderers for a fee of 1.1 million dollars which will keep him there until 2017. The Turkish midfielder has played for the likes of Bayer Leverkusen, 1. FC Nuremberg, Fenerbahçe and Be?ikta?.

Mirko Zizovic had nothing but praise for the first ever Turkish A-League player.

"Sezer is an immense talent and an incredible acquisition, he is an elite passer and experienced. He will fit our game plan perfectly and we all look forward to see what Sezer is capable of."

- Mirko Zizovic

Zizovic has also brought back 3 familiar faces in the form of Iacopo La Rocca, Matthew Spiranovic and Adam D'Apuzzo who were all released by Tony Popovic before his defection. Andrija Jukic has signed on a free trasnfer and so has young gun Matthew Byrne

"Iacopo, Matthew and Adam were let go by Tony while I was the assistant at the end of the season last year. I have brought them back because I know they still have a role to play and are players who any team would be fortunate to have."

- Mirko Zizovic

When asked about the signing of Andrija Jukic, Mirko was all praise and revealed a long lasting friendship.

"I have known Andrija for a long time as a person and a player and he is a pleasure in both senses, this deal was easy to make he will be crucial to us this campaign."

Mirko also went onto comment on the capture of the widely regarded Matthew Byrne.

"Tony and I have been watching Matthew for a while now, he was someone Tony was very keen to capture. Matthew is an immense talent and will be pushing for a spot int he starting team, it was vital we signed him now before anyone else caught him, especially Tony - Haha."

My football manager has completely written it's self off and I have lost everything I ever did and every save I ever had!

I was just starting to enjoy this as well, really sorry about having to abandon the story.
I'll make sure the next one makes up for it!