Socceroos boos Tony Popovic has revealed that he turned down the offer of a four-year extension from Football Australia on the eve of the FIFA World Cup. But he insists that, regardless of his status, expectations for Australia's men should continue grow with them heading into January's AFC Asian Cup.
Ahead of his side's return to action in Queensland-based friendlies against Brazil this month, Popovic spoke to media for the first time since his side's elimination from the World Cup on Tuesday, fielding questions on his reflections on the tournament and how the Socceroos would evolve heading into January's continental showpiece.
"There's always been a purpose behind every decision I've made. And I'm comfortable with that purpose for all of them. On reflection ... you always look at every decision, I'll always look at myself first, and hindsight's always something that you can look back on." the coach said, noting second-half changes in the round-of-32 defeat against Egypt and erring not to make further lineup alterations against the United States, following the comedown of the side's emotional win over Türkiye, as two areas of contemplation.
Amidst disappointment over the manner of the Socceroos' loss to Egypt, Football Australia officials strongly backed Popovic to continue to lead the side, having agreed an extension with the 53-year-old on the eve of the tournament to take him through the Asian Cup. And as he prepares to name his squad for clashes with the Seleção, Popovic divulged that it was his decision not to lock in an even longer arrangement.
"I love coaching the Socceroos," said the coach. "It was my choice to go until the Asian Cup. Although I was offered a four-year deal, I decided to go to the Asian Cup. That's something I think is good, and it also gives the Football Australia an opportunity; if they want to go in a different direction, they can.
"I'm very comfortable with the decision that's been made. I'm very comfortable with how I've always worked for the future, and these games against Brazil, it will be an eye in the future, and so will November [friendlies], and so will the Asian Cup, and if I leave a week later, I'll still be comfortable with that."
Popovic said that a deliberate policy of renewal had been undertaken during the 12-month period between qualification for the World Cup and the tournament itself, and that process would continue heading into the Asian Cup no matter what occurred with his own future.
Eight players aged 23 or under were named in the 26-player squad in North America, with 11 of that cohort possessing fewer than 10 international appearances. With an average age of 24 years and 226 days, the side that defeated Türkiye was the youngest to feature in any fixture, while an average age of 25 years and 165 days was also the youngest amongst the 48 competing nations.
"When we qualified, there were 12 months before the World Cup," he said. "I ended up signing my contract, I was in the last week before the first match. We started this evolution of the team, [went] for 12 months, without knowing whether I'd be there or not.
"I've always been someone that, I've never I've never shied away from the expectation of results. I actually probably am the first to push those even further. But I've always had an eye on the future. That was reflected in the squad we chose, the players we played, and also how much the team changed in 12 months. That was done without any security of a contract, so I had no concerns about whether I would sign or not. And if I hadn't signed, I would have been happy with what I'd done and what I have left behind.
"The same will be after the Asian Cup. I know the legacy that I'll leave behind. I know, personally. And if it's someone else that takes it forward, that's fine. And if it's me, great. If we agree to do this together, it won't change what I'll do now. I will still look to the future. I will still bring in young players. There will be a lot of young players probably at the Asian Cup, and that will be done without losing any expectation.
"I believe we should be challenging for the Asian Cup. We should definitely be in the semis, fighting for a final spot. And once you're there, you want to win it. That should always happen with Australia, regardless of how young the team is, how many debutantes there are.
"I don't think I've ever thought about the immediate future of myself. And if I only thought about myself, then the squad would have been very different at the World Cup."
