Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay has dismissed stories of him changing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory subsequent season, however stays coy about his future.
The Phoenix host the Victory at Sky Stadium on Saturday, with Talay hoping so as to add additional distress to the Melbourne aspect’s poor season.
Popovic is seemingly below strain to maintain his job, with the Victory – who final season fell a recreation in need of a grand last look – in final spot on the ladder.
With Talay set to go away the Phoenix on the finish of the season, he has been linked to Popovic’s job.
However. it’s nothing greater than “speculation” in keeping with the Wellington mentor.
“I’ve had no discussions with anybody at this stage,” Talay stated.
“It’s just an article that’s been thrown out there.”
Talay additionally wasn’t excited by revealing his plans past this season.
“I don’t think there’s a need to,” the 47-year-old former Young Socceroos coach stated.
Popovic stated he wasn’t nervous about what would possibly occur subsequent season.
“That’s not a conversation that I’ve had (with Victory officials) or that I’m concerned about,” the previous Socceroos defender stated.
“I’m just concerned about the game.
“Speculation will always exist in football regardless of whether it’s about coaches or it’s about players.
“We can only deal with what we know and what we can control, and that’s going into this match.”
Popovic stated his aspect had gained confidence from its 2-0 win over the Central Coast Mariners earlier than the FIFA worldwide break.
“We finished before the break with a fantastic performance and result against the Central Coast,” he stated.
“We know we’re good enough to compete with the best teams, but for many reasons we haven’t had that consistency and we’ve lost too many games, but we can’t change what’s happened, we can only change what’s in front of us.”
Talay stated Saturday’s recreation was “massive” for a Phoenix aspect intent on securing a house recreation in the course of the finals collection.
“The aim is to finish in the top four so we can play a home final,” he stated.
Originally revealed as Wellington Phoenix coach Ufuk Talay rejects ‘speculation’ of him changing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
