"Love having him": FA Chair speaks on Popovic's Socceroos contract

Football Australia Chair Anter Isaac has given an update on the federation’s negotiations with coach Tony Popovic following the Asian Cup being delayed.

Having helped the Socceroos make the knockout stages of the men’s FIFA World Cup for only the third time in the country’s history, Popovic elected to sign a six-month extension despite being offered a four-year contract by the FA.

This was with the intention of coaching the side through to the AFC Asian Cup, initially slated for January in Saudi Arabia and then weighing up his coaching future after the tournament.

But the AFC has delayed the tournament until late December in 2027 due to ‘exceptional circumstances’ within the region due to attacks from the Houthi movement on the host country.

Following the postponement of the continental event, Isaac confirmed the federation is in discussions with the former Socceroo to extend his deal to ensure he is contracted for the event.

“So, there's no automatic rollover,” Isaac told SEN’s Gloves Off with Bozza.

“We've been engaged in discussions with Tony for some time, and they're ongoing.

“He loves being the Socceroos' head coach. We love having him as the Socceroos' head coach.”

Following his performances with the national side to date, Popovic has begun earning attention from the wider football world, becoming a contender for the potential coaching vacancy at Crystal Palace.

But despite the potential options available should the FA look elsewhere, Isaac believes the 53-year-old, through his performances, has secured the right to have the first choice on whether he wants to continue in the role after his current contract finishes.

“Of course, I don't think anyone would argue that he's earned the right and the opportunity to challenge for trophies with this team,” he added.

“But at the end of the day, he's a coach that's done incredibly well, at the same time as our team's done incredibly well.

“And you know he's going to attract attention.”

The Socceroos’ next scheduled match takes place on Saturday morning (AEDT) against the reigning back-to-back Asian Cup champions, Qatar, in Doha.