Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has quit the club on the eve of their A-League season after reaching an agreement to coach Turkish club Karabukspor.
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Just one week before the A-League season starts, the Wanderers will begin the search for a new coach for the first time in five years after Popovic abruptly quit the club on Sunday.
Reports from Turkey suggest he will immediately travel to Istanbul on Sunday to finalise a transfer to the Super Lig club after reaching an agreement on personal terms, which is set to formally be completed.
Karabukspor finished 12th in the Super Lig last season in their first year back at the top after promotion from the First League but are currently battling against relegation.
The club located near the Black Sea have won just once in seven games this season and sit third last in the top division in Turkey.
Popovic replaces Erkan Sözeri who stepped down from Karabukspor as a result of their poor start to the season.
Fairfax Media understands the Western Sydney Wanderers players are in disbelief with the abrupt departure of the Wanderers inaugural head coach.
The playing squad had not been told of the news from the coaching staff, rather had to learn of Popovic quitting on Sunday via social media and were shocked to learn of the disruption to their season's plans.
The Wanderers players were on a day off after their season's launch on Saturday at Spotless Stadium where Popovic ran an open training session in front of fans.