This seems very legit. Very poor form if he quits a week out from the season and a day after he's in the team photo

It sounds legit... Terribly poor form if he bails on us a week from the season after having such a successful pre season. I've thought for the last 12 months its time for him to move on but this timing is horribly selfish.

What DA FAQ even ABC reporting it, must have had beef with Lederer or something like that as no way he would just quit like this.

True according to my journo mate. Sources are credible. Gah. 

Smithies reporting that he had an agreement with Lederer that he could leave at any time if the right opportunity came his way....

Poor form? More bizarre, for the first time in our history we have had the best preparation and recruitment (you can bet that much of that would have come from Popa himself) and now decides to walk away?

Turkey too? Cut throat place, no room for error, go through coaches like no tomorrow but must have been the right offer for him to move. I’m thinking along the lines of control of club (recruitment, back room staff, top to bottom) and contract (certain guarantees about length, remuneration etc etc).

Don't know who his agent is, but I know he is a shark. It will be on top dollar.

5 minutes ago, Burgerman said:

What DA FAQ even ABC reporting it, must have had beef with Lederer or something like that as no way he would just quit like this.

Just now, Prydzopolis said:

Smithies reporting that he had an agreement with Lederer that he could leave at any time if the right opportunity came his way

This is upsetting. Another disrupted season. 

Careful what you wish for team #popaout.......

Looks like the deal had already been done.This was posted 3 days ago in Turkey.

IHA

The red-blueness team had an agreement on every issue with the Croatian Anthony (Tony) Popovic, who was originally from Croatia.

Stunned....

Who will replace him then?

Not that I think he's by any means irreplaceable...but bizarre and very awkward timing for sure.

Look we knew this was coming one day but the timing of this is ABSOLUTELY AWFUL. We now have to consider who the next manager of the team will be. I think we have a great assistant in Carrasco and he should be given the opportunity considering he is there and would continue the work from Tony Popovic. I think if Milicic wants the job he should also be considered but if I am to be fair Carrasco can make a fine appointment for the club and would do a great job. We should promote this role within. He is more than ready for the role. 

Well, walk out is accurate, no way he would do this few days out if there weren't serious problems within the club. 

seems strange that he would take this and not the palace or japan offers that were rumoured previously. are they giving him full control unlike the previous offers or is there a bigger story behind the scenes.

this will be tough to recover from regardless of how we look on paper compared to last season.

3 minutes ago, wengerboy said:

Well, walk out is accurate, no way he would do this few days out if there weren't serious problems within the club. 

We don't know the circumstances and I dont think we should speculate. My understanding was that Tony always had an agreement with Lederer that if the right opportunity came his way that he would consider leaving the club for that opportunity. I just don't think its a great opportunity to tell you the truth. He left us for a struggling Turkish side that looks like they will be relegated. Managing a team in Turkey is a fickle business so there is no guarantee he will even last a season there. It is going to be a struggle, however, if he turns the team around then it will only add to his growing list of achievements on his resume. 

Mack must be at the pub celebrating haha

football never a dull moment 

rudan?

milicic?

bring back bleigberg! 

The Turkish article mentions the new coach was to arrive in turkey before now.

did I read somewhere that Milicic was in Turkey???

2 minutes ago, GunnerWanderer said:

Mack must be at the pub celebrating haha

football never a dull moment 

rudan?

milicic?

bring back bleigberg! 

Surely we have to include Carrasco in the mix. Someone like Mike Mulvey will also apply. We should get some international interest but I don't see any reason why Carrasco can't do this job and do it well. 

9 minutes ago, wengerboy said:

Well, walk out is accurate, no way he would do this few days out if there weren't serious problems within the club. 

Maybe he was upset about how undisputed the preseason was.

Damn, I really had high expectations this season. 

milicic would be the obvious choice I think - keeps things within the western sydney family and it would be a natural progression for his career.

would be disappointed if we went with an a-league retread like mulvey.

Any official response from the club or Popovic himself..?

#Gombau in

13 minutes ago, Edinburgh said:

The Turkish article mentions the new coach was to arrive in turkey before now.

did I read somewhere that Milicic was in Turkey???

I heard Milicic on a pod and was calling from Zagreb Croatia. 

Wow! ....fuuck!! ....SHIIT!!!    WTF??!!!   NOW??!!!   Oh well, was going to happen one day , timing could've been better though, but when that fat juicy $$$ carrot is waved infront of you ,there's no waiting. He's young with a young family....make hay while the sun shines

Thx Popa, you're a WSW legend !!

1 minute ago, lloydy136 said:

milicic would be the obvious choice I think - keeps things within the western sydney family and it would be a natural progression for his career.

would be disappointed if we went with an a-league retread like mulvey.

There was an issue that forced Brisbane to sack Mulvey. I am not sure what is was but cheaper to sack a head coach than have a multi-million dollar law suit.

gatt reporting kalac gone too.

I just think it sends a really good message if we promote within the club or consider someone like Milicic who was at the club and left for a great opportunity. Both Carrasco and Milicic are the two best candidates as far as I am concerned, there is a certain continuity as well and familiarity with the club. With only a week before the new A-league begins it would be unfair on a new coach to take on a team that he has just inherited with no input. It would just set the club and the new coach for failure. Stick with what we know and send a positive message that coaches who are/have been associated with the club will get opportunities when presented to them. It's not like they are not good coaches either so it makes more sense to me to go this route. 

Well, ****.

4 minutes ago, Unlimited said:

Well, ****.

My words exactly...! lol

Well faark. I don't begrudge Popa his ambition, but his timing sucks to say the least. Its odd tho that he's left for a low ranked side. Idk, seems like there's more to this. Again, the timing is bonkers

Agree that Carrasco should get a crack. More La Liga imports this year and obviously he has had a big day in that. Almost as much his team as Popa’s you would think. As for Popa, good luck to him. Earned his shot and his pay day.