Ufuk Talay appointed as Young Socceroos Coach

Football Federation Australia (FFA) has today announced Ufuk Talay as Head Coach of the Young Socceroos, Australia’s U-20 National Team.

Talay has been involved in the Australian National Team structure as the assistant coach of the Australian U-17 team (Joeys) and the FFA Centre of Excellence program at the Australian Institute of Sport. He replaces Paul Okon, who has been named as Head Coach of the Central Coast Mariners.

FFA CEO David Gallop described Talay’s appointment as a glowing endorsement for the structures put in place underpinning the Caltex Socceroos.

“We’re pleased to announce that Ufuk Talay will take over as Head Coach of the Young Socceroos,” Gallop said. “It shows the pathway is in place for not only players but coaches to progress through the National team structures as part of the National Team Unit’s strategy.

“When we became aware of Paul’s decision to take up the role at the Central Coast Mariners the National Team Unit, headed by Luke Casserly, Ange Postecoglou and Eric Abrams, identified Ufuk as the best man to take the position and we are pleased we have been able to ensure a smooth transition.

Ufuk Talay has been appointed as the new Young Socceroos coach.

“I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Paul Okon for his contribution to the National Team coaching department and we certainly wish him every success as he takes the next steps in his coaching career with the Central Coast Mariners.”

Talay, who enjoyed a successful playing career overseas and was also part of Sydney FC’s inaugural Championship-winning Hyundai A-League team, was thrilled with the opportunity to lead the U-20s into the next World Cup qualifying cycle.

“This is a huge honour for me to be named coach of the Australian U20 team,” Talay said. “It’s a step forward and I look forward to working with the players to play the type of football our National Teams have been playing and qualify for the U-20 World Cup.

“I’d like to thank Luke Casserly, Ange Postecoglou and the FFA for having faith in me and also Tony Vidmar and Peter de Roo for the opportunity they gave me to join the National Team structure with the Joeys and the FFA Centre of Excellence and the knowledge they have shared with me.”

Talay will commence work immediately and will lead a 23-man squad to Bahrain for the AFF U-19 Championship in Vietnam from 11-24 September 2016.

The team leaves on Tuesday (6 September) and will play matches against Cambodia (12 September), Myanmar (14 September), Indonesia (16 September), Thailand (18 September) and Laos (20 September).

The Young Socceroos will then take part in the AFC U-19 Championships in Bahrain from 13-30 October 2016, where they face China PR, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan in the group stages of the 16-team tournament. The top four countries (excluding the Korea Republic) will qualify for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, which will be played in the Korea Republic.

The 23-man squad for the AFF Championship is:

Keanu BACCUS

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Jackson BANDIERA

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

George BLACKWOOD

Sydney FC

Joseph CHAMPNESS

Brisbane Roar FC

Patrick FLOTTMANN

Sydney FC

Joshua HOPE

Melbourne Victory FC

Jasmin KERANOVIC

West Bromwich Albion FC, ,England

Steve KUZMANOVSKI

Melbourne City FC

Tariq MAIA

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Daniel MARGUSH

Adelaide United FC

George MELLS

Adelaide United FC

William MUTCH

Sydney FC

Connor O'TOOLE

Brisbane Roar FC

Liam ROSE

Central Coast Mariners FC

Dejan PANDUREVIC

Manly United (NPL)

Jayden PRASAD

Brisbane Roar FC

Kye ROWLES

Brisbane Roar FC

Lachlan SCOTT

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Mario SHABOW

Western Sydney Wanderers FC

Yaren SOZER (GK)

Melbourne City FC

George TIMOTHEOU

Sydney FC

Brandon VELLA

Marconi Stallions FC

Liam YOULLEY

Western Sydney Wanderers FC