Wellington Phoenix head coach Ufuk Talay is being named as the likely successor to Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory for next season’s men’s A-League campaign.
FTBL writer Dave Lewis claims:
- Popovic is believed to have a job opportunity in Asia and will leave Victory.
- Talay — who is out of contract with the Phoenix at the end of this season — is likey to replace Popovic at Victory.
- Talay’s possible successor at the Phoenix is current assistant Giancarlo Italiano, who joined the club with Talay from Sydney FC in 2019.
“First pursued by Victory back in 2020, it appears the Navy Blues have finally got their man after behind-the-scenes discussions convinced the off-contract Wellington coach to part ways with the ‘Nix following the competition of his fourth season in New Zealand.”
Popovic’s Victory have struggled this season and prop up the foot of the A-League table, leading to speculation his reign as head coach could soon end.
A change in the ownership structure at Victory adds pressure for success with the arrival of investors 777 Partners, the Miami-based private equity firm with stakes in La Liga side Sevilla, Serie B Genoa, Paris-based Red Star FC and Brazilian outfit Vasco da Gama.
Main photo: Ufuk Talay … out of contract soon at the Phoenix. Photo: Shane Wenzlick / Phototek.
READ MORE: Talay in line to replace Popovic at ailing A-League giants >>>>
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