Sydney - Asian Champions League holders Western Sydney Wanderers on Friday extended coach Tony Popovic's contract despite their horror season.
The Wanderers, who finished second last in the A-League with just four victories, said Popovic's contract would be extended until the end of the 2017-18 season.
The club made an early exit from the current AFC Champions League on Tuesday but preferred to highlight Popovic's previous successes with the Wanderers, including two straight A-League grand finals and becoming the first Australian side to win the Asian title, in November last year.
"Western Sydney to the core, the Socceroo great has been the key to the Wanderers successes to date and will drive the club forward well into the decade," club chairman Paul Lederer said in a statement.
"Tony Popovic has already brought this club a great deal of success, but we want more, a lot more.
"He makes no secret of his demands on his team and his incredibly hardworking football staff but these are no more than the demands he makes on himself.
"Make no mistake. Tony Popovic is the only man for the job, he is an ideal fit for our culture and suits the ambitious plans we have for this club," Lederer said.
Former Socceroos and Crystal Palace defender Popovic, 41, the current AFC Coach of the Year, promised more success to come.
"I am immensely proud of the achievements of this team at our club to date but have no interest in resting with past glories," he said.
"Work for next season has already begun and our aim is to get back to the top where we belong."
AFP
