Popovic to hang up his boots

[Deej]

SOCCEROOS hero and Sydney FC skipper Tony Popovic is expected to announce his immediate retirement at lunchtime today

Sydney FC have called a press conference for a "significant" and "major" announcement at 12.30pm today.

It is understood Popa will confirm he is quitting the game after a run of niggling injuries recently.

John Kosmina questioned the towering defender's fitness after this weekend's game against Wellington Phoenix, saying the star had said he was fit but wasn't.

The decision comes after Sydney FC chairman Andrew Kemeny told players to either stand up and be counted or move on after the defeat against Wellington Phoenix on Friday.

The 35 year old joined Sydney at the start of last season under Branko Culina, returning from an overseas career where he spent four years in Japan at Sanfrecce Hiroshima and five years at Crystal Palace.

The towering defender notched up 58 caps for the 'Roos and scored eight goals for the national team - including one against Paraguay in literally his final minute as a Socceroo - before retiring after the World Cup.

Popa has recently been playing a larger part in coaching at the club and may stay on in that role.

It's not yet known who will take over the skipper's armband at the club.

We'll be at the press conference and covering it live here on 442TV (all going well...!)

 

[FFC Mariner]

Another sook - gets told to "stand up and be counted or move on" and he quits.

Symptomatic of dressing room tensions at SFC perhaps?

 

[marinermick]

mcflynn for skipper?

 

[Capn Gus Bloodbeard]

Man I'm glad I'm not a Sydney supporter.

 

[Deej]

Corica for the rest of year would be my pick

 

[Sean]

rumour is John Aloisi

 

[Jorome Alexander Bennett]

Fyfe is Life!

 

[Alicia]

Corica for the rest of year would be my pick

Corica would be my pick too..  He is the vice-captain already.

 

[clarence]

Another sook - gets told to "stand up and be counted or move on" and he quits.

Symptomatic of dressing room tensions at SFC perhaps?

Gee Greenpole, you are a hard marker mate.

If he isn't travelling well this season, and sees he can't do the job anymore, it's better for him to call it quits at his age. If he plays half fit he runs the higher risk of injury and one that may carry over into his post playing life as a chronic ailment once he quits.

I respect his career, particularly the hard yards he put in for the Socceroos. He can proud of his achievements.

I noticed him on the bench for Sydney in recent matches, even though he hasn't been listed as a sub, so maybe he's got a coaching job lined up within Sydney FC.

Aloi$i as captain would polarise the team. Corica is my pick, and his own playing has been going OK (unlike Aloi$i who is the subject of much debate amongst fans and benched in recent games).

 

[FFC Mariner]

Speaks of a certain lack of loyalty and team spirit though dont you think?

Aloisi as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

 

[Don]

yep i agree corica should be captain,been there since season 1,but then we all know whats sydney is like ???

 

[Bex]

Seems like Sackem FC's still don't get it; they're the ones continually destabilising the club by replacing coaches and buying marquee players that don't fit the plan (Kosmina commented that Aloisi is too "back to goal" the other week and wants to have speed and options up front - unbelievable that they didn't see that coming after we had to change our game to suit Aloisi). Now, they're standing back, blaming the players and asking them to leave rather than taking some blame, reworking the strategy and helping the players adjust. The more things change, the more they stay the same.......

 

[tuftman]

Seems like Sackem FC's still don't get it; they're the ones continually destabilising the club by replacing coaches and buying marquee players that don't fit the plan (Kosmina commented that Aloi$i is too "back to goal" the other week and wants to have speed and options up front - unbelievable that they didn't see that coming after we had to change our game to suit Aloi$i). Now, they're standing back, blaming the players and asking them to leave rather than taking some blame, reworking the strategy and helping the players adjust. The more things change, the more they stay the same.......

Do you think they're hoping that if they change things time and time again, and spend ridiculous money at times to do so, that they'll just stumble upon the winning formula?

 

[Ted]

Yes, Corica deserves the armband for sure IMO and the more our 2 closest rivals go through turmoil the better it is for us.

 

[serious14]

Aloi$i as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it!!!!!!!

 

[Ted]

Aloi$i as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it!!!!!!!

you sure?

 

[dru]

Aloi$i as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it!!!!!!!

you sure?

No but he is serious

 

[T]

Aloi$i as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it!!!!!!!

you sure?

No but he is serious

Someone is on fire with the quips today

 

[Jaza_SFC]

. Now, they're standing back, blaming the players and asking them to leave rather than taking some blame, reworking the strategy and helping the players adjust. The more things change, the more they stay the same.......

What?!

WTF are you on about?

The guy is 35yrs old and has been struggling with soft tissue injuries for years. Since Crystal palace he's had up-and-down hamstrings. He's decided he'll do the team a favour and not play injured.

How the hell does that compare to what you've said? You're insane.

 

[serious14]

Aloi$i as captain would rip the squad apart imho.

Do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it do it!!!!!!!

you sure?

No but he is serious

*tips hat*

That was most grand.