In this episode of PSP, host Nii Wallace-Bruce, alongside guest Tex Smith from 'The Roar,' dives into Australia's path towards the 2026 World Cup and the recent performance of the Socceroos during their October international window. They discuss the logistical challenges of the upcoming World Cup in North America (01:12), reflect on Australia's tactical play under Tony Popovich, and analyze the games against Canada (03:03) and the US (09:01).

Additionally, they touch upon the current state and future of the A-League (17:15), the influence of Australian coaches internationally (27:24), and the role of Football Australia's James Johnson as he transitions to Canada Soccer Business (23:18). The conversation also highlights the potential of younger players and the differences in stadium environments between North America and Australia.

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Opening and closing music courtesy of Jeremiah Alves - "Evermore".

Welcome to another episode of PSPI am your host Knee Wallet Spruce,

2

and we've just completed another.

3

Window of internationals in men's

football, we are getting closer

4

and closer to the 2026 World Cup.

5

And that means more teams are qualifying,

some are getting eliminated, some

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are going through the dreaded playoff

route, which I know only too well.

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And in fact, if you spend any

time in Australia, you know

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very well what that means.

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'cause they've had to go through

South America in the past.

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They've gone through, they go through

Asian nowadays, they've faced.

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All sorts of proponents.

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They also faced con kaf in the 2018

cycle, and someone who spent time in

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the con kaf region actually recently

is our upcoming guest because the

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Socceroos played none other than Canada

and the United States In the last

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window two hosts of the 2026 World Cup.

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It's a great hit out for

Tony Povich and his men.

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So joining us from the raw in

Sydney, it's Tex Smith Taxi.

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How you doing?

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Texi Smith: Doing really well.

20

Thanks.

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Yeah, just a little bit jet.

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Jet lagged after getting

back from the long journey.

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but yeah, feeling good.

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It's been a good window.

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PSP: Yeah, and you were able

to get to Montreal for the game

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against Canada and Denver for the

game against the United States.

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So that's quite an effort going.

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You know, across the Rocky Mountains

or to the Rocky Mountains and

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then to the Eastern seaboard.

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What was your take on, I guess, travel,

if you will, because there's gonna

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be, this is gonna be the most spread

out World Cup in history coming up.

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Texi Smith: Yeah.

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After the 2022 World Cup, which

was all in one city this is

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gonna be completely different.

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And this was like a

reconnaissance mission.

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To, to see just, just how it is

how, how difficult is it going

37

to be to get between games?

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What are the chances of filling, you

know, a, a, a three week break with with

39

games in between the Australia games?

40

So yeah, the, the travel

aspect was, was very important.

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In the end it was it all went

42

PSP: All went.

43

Texi Smith: there.

44

There was no issues.

45

Just a little bit of a delay.

46

Getting into Vancouver first and then

across to Montreal was just easy.

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And once you're in Montreal, it's

yeah, it's a great city for transport.

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They got a, a super metro system.

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even just the, the bus from

the, the airport was, you know,

50

seamless you know, five in the

afternoon when it, it was so busy.

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So yeah, that, that aspect of it was was

important And yeah, it's, it's a big tick.

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PSP: Fantastic.

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It is.

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It is a little bit sad that Montreal

won't be hosting games when Canada's

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turn comes around Next year it will only

be Vancouver and Toronto for the, the

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group and knockout matches, but I'm sure

Montreal will be involved in terms of.

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Preparation warmup matches.

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I'm sure there'll be teams that will be

based themselves out there because by

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account it is a fantastic city , to be in.

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When you were at the, the first

international team, the Socceroos

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in, in Canada , it was a packed

house at Saputo Stadium, Jesse Marsh.

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Trying to get his best 11 or get

an idea of what his best 11 is.

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What did you see from the

Socceroos perspective?

64

With Tony Povich and his

men getting the win there.

65

Texi Smith: Look, it's, it's something

that we're slowly getting used to being

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there's, there's the phrase low block that

gets bandied around a lot at the moment.

67

And Australia played a, a fairly

defensive, system, you know, the low

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block, but they were, they were fast going

forward and and hassled a lot upfront.

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So it was it, it was a, a standard

Tony Popovich performance.

70

We've seen those performances from

Australia in the past in the World Cup

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when we played Denmark, for example.

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And got a famous win against those,

you know, European superstars and we

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also beat Tunisia in the same fashion.

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It was it's, it's soaking up a

lot of pressure and, and, you

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know, breaking quickly and,

and just jagging a one nil win.

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It's it's, it's, we're

we're getting used to it.

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And it really was that on when was it?

78

Thursday, Friday, I think it was.

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It, it was soaking up the pressure and and

allowing Canada to, to play with the ball.

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But then when we had the ball,

we were, we were efficient.

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was it was great to see.

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PSP: And Tony Povich, he's no

stranger to international football.

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He is the first Australian manager

to win the Asian Champions League.

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And when he won with the Western Sydney

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With a, a very pragmatic style.

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It was wasn't really about

beautiful football or style points.

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It was about getting the result.

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And he positioned his players as

accordingly in, in the sense that,

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as you say, they were set up well

defensively and then they were able to,

90

to take opportunities on the counter.

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Are you seeing similarities with the

Socceroos setup that he has nowadays?

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Texi Smith: Yeah, it, it seems to be,

yeah, it's look at, it's, it's, it's

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criticized for not being particularly

entertaining, but it, it just depends

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on your viewpoint when, when you see,

three players doing one touch passing

95

to get outta trouble at the back.

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It's, you know, it's, it's, it's

fantastic to see the, the, the,

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the poise and the the calmness on

the ball of of the, the sort of the

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central midfield, the, the defense.

99

It's, it's outstanding.

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And just, just to see us capable of,

of playing that football, knocking

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it around doing the quick passes and

moving, it's, it's, it's great to

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see yeah, look, we don't get many

chances, but but when we do, we,

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we've proven that we can take them.

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PSP: Yeah, and that's important.

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In international football, you

made a great point that chances

106

are at a premium, so you gotta

take them when they come along.

107

Now.

108

Quite often, I guess many observers

outside of Australia view Australian

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football as physical with a lot

of technical ability as well.

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So would you say that's still the case

when it comes to today's Socceroos?

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Texi Smith: It's, it's a bit less.

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We've got, we've got less players who, who

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PSP: I.

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Texi Smith: that mold.

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And look, perhaps just the, the style has

changed over, over the last few years.

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When I think it was Mitch Duke came on

towards the end, he's the, the traditional

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target man, and he puts himself around

and and he does really well to, to hold up

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the ball, but that's just not our style.

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At the moment.

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That's, that's maybe what we were used to.

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We were used to the

long ball and you know.

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of getting in strongly in tackles

and and, and you know, a little bit

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like the English style of you know,

the, the eighties and nineties.

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But now it's, we, we've evolved.

125

We, we look so comfortable on the ball.

126

There's there, there's an

element of of a rat bag about us.

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So, you know, we, we, we can, we can

really hassle players and you know.

128

Cause, cause a scene if we need to.

129

And, and we saw that against

Canada and against the us in

130

the second game of the window.

131

You know, we're, we're, we're not

to, we're not to be pushed around.

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And even though we don't have the,

the big physical players apart from

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our central defenders, you know,

we're, we're, we can hold our.

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And it's, it's great to see.

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It's, it's, it's the Aussie spirit.

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It's what, it's what the fans love to see.

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You know, we can we can hold the

ball, we can we, we can win a

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tackle with you know, strength.

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And yeah, it's, it's, it's

something that, that really

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does, you know, tick a big box.

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PSP: Yeah.

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Good.

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And I get the sense that the team,

that the DNA of the Socceroos is still.

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A team that doesn't give in.

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I think a signature game of this

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and an Coley's men, they conce.

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The late goal, I think it may have

been Sonia Scored Stadium Australia

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and the team refused to give in.

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They, it wasn't like they

were settling penalties or

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other teams had given up, but.

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They kept loading on, they kept

pushing at possession football, and

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I'm trying to remember who scored.

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Was it Tommy Eurich scored the winner?

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Texi Smith: Who scored the the winner.

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Was it Brett Holman?

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Yeah, it's, it's, it's 10 years ago.

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I can't believe it.

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I

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PSP: yeah,

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Texi Smith: being at that

161

PSP: I,

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Texi Smith: game.

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PSP: yeah, I was at that game.

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I still got the jersey in in my room.

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And I was a fond memory memories.

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Texi Smith: Yeah, we were one knee up with

I think we're in injury time, and we were

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PSP: Yes.

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Texi Smith: our sink ready

for the final whistle.

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You know, this is it.

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We've, we've won.

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And then son scored.

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It was it was unbelievable.

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then yeah, we, we dug, we dug in.

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It was it was a fantastic win.

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That was, yeah.

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PSP: Yeah, that's never say di attitude.

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No.

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It's it's good memories.

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Good memories.

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I always.

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Reminded of that when

I look at my wardrobe.

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But you're only as good as your last game.

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And unfortunately the soccer did

go down to the US A in Denver.

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Now there are two former prime

ministers in at the game.

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So Kevin Rudd is now ambassador to

the us which I've only just found out.

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And former Prime Minister John

Howard, who he defeated in an

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election was also at the game.

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So.

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It's amazing how football can bring people

together, especially two politicians on

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the both sides of the, the coin there.

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But we're not here to talk about

politics here, to talk about what

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happened on the field of play.

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What happened in your eyes in that game?

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Was it opportunity missed there

or was it something different?

195

Texi Smith: It was, it was

a different game altogether.

196

There was a less intensity at

the, at the start of the game.

197

We saw the US winning free kicks and

then just going back, you know, when,

198

when they, they could have easily

like gone really for the jugular.

199

But yeah, it was, it was

a, it was a strange game.

200

We, we took the lead Jordy boss.

201

the ball in a deflection, he just kept on

running and, and smashed the ball home.

202

It was, it was such a surprise.

203

Yeah, it was a, it was, it was a,

a moment to, to remember that one.

204

And then yeah, we we, we, we dug in.

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But yeah, it was kind of inevitable.

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We equalizer, soon after really.

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And and then.

208

We, we switched off in the second

half for their, for their winner.

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I think boss, boss gave away a free kick

and, and stood there and moaned about

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it instead of you know, getting into

position and and blocking off the pass.

211

And then the US just played

a long ball and it was a.

212

A simple finish in the end.

213

It took it well had you right?

214

I think it is.

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It seems to be a, a, a quality finisher.

216

There was an element of the

you know, the, the, the niggle

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that we saw in in Montreal.

218

it, it came up again.

219

So, you know, there was a

few little tackles that,

220

that were a little bit nasty.

221

A few tackles that broke up play.

222

You could see that

Australia were trying to.

223

Break up the, the, the the

momentum early it, it, it really

224

got under the US players' skin.

225

And there was some flash points.

226

It was yeah, it was an interesting

encounter and still a, a successful

227

performance from from the Socceroos.

228

Yeah, we've got no complaints about

the the way we lost, but we had

229

a, we had a glorious chance just

before we conceded Connor Metcalf.

230

Free in front of goal.

231

He had seconds to, to choose his spot

and and he, his shot was blocked, so

232

we could have, we could have come away

with another win there on another day.

233

PSP: Okay.

234

That's fair enough.

235

Now the game was played at altitude at.

236

Mile high in Denver.

237

Did you feel like that factored in for

either team, especially the Socceroos?

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Texi Smith: Yeah, maybe it did.

239

And both coaches afterwards in the press

conference did mention the altitude.

240

the fact that, you know, you, you

make a lung busting run to, to get

241

upfield and you can't back it up.

242

you, you can't race back.

243

You can't go on a second run,

you know, a minute later.

244

So yeah, he Tony Popovich

did, did say that straight up.

245

Per, personally, I didn't feel it at all.

246

You know, I mean, maybe I've to

altitude before and it, it doesn't

247

really affect me that much.

248

And I was even on a bike ride that,

that afternoon before the game, and

249

yeah, I didn't really notice it,

but, you know, I, I wasn't exactly

250

you know, sprinting at full pace.

251

So, yeah, I, I think it

was a, it was a factor.

252

PSP: Okay.

253

But if I cry before the game, that's

definitely, that's a good move.

254

That is the move, get the,

the blood pumping beforehand.

255

Now, Denver won't be hosting games

next year, but there will be games

256

of altitude in Mexico, so that's a

good experience for, for both teams.

257

Having seen two outta the three

hosts, taxi, where do you see the US

258

and Canada as potential apprentice?

259

I get the feeling that in the US there's

still a bit of an identity crisis.

260

Some people think they should be intended

for the World Cup, and some think that

261

it might be a bit of a mini rebuild.

262

How did you see the two World Cup hosts?

263

Texi Smith: Well, coming into the window,

we, we would've been delighted with

264

a a, a one win and a a narrow loss.

265

Yeah, we, expectations weren't

particularly high for the Socceroos.

266

We were on a, a great run

of results that's for sure.

267

But some of the, some of the results

weren't exactly against strong opposition.

268

but where do we see them in the World

Cup hosts always seem to step up.

269

It's, it's just a, a natural, a natural

thing when when the when when you're

270

hosting everyone and all eyes are on your.

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Your your playing style.

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It, it just seems to go better.

273

I, I, dunno what that is.

274

Canada could, could be better than

than they, they showed against us.

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The, the, the finishing was,

was a, a bit disappointing.

276

I mean, there was a, an absolute.

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Glorious chance at the end of the, the

Canada game, which should have been

278

a goal any, any other day, nine times

outta 10, that would've been a goal.

279

and the, the US like the, as I

said before, the intensity wasn't

280

there at the beginning of the game.

281

And in a, in a tournament

situation, I'm pretty sure that

282

would be totally different.

283

They'd be, you know, out to,

out to get us from the start.

284

So I, I, I think that're

both going to go well.

285

PSP: I definitely see

Canada surprising people.

286

I think there are definitely some names

on that team that people may not have.

287

Heard of or been familiar with, but

they'll definitely be familiar with

288

in the next eight to nine months.

289

And Alfonso Davis should be back by

then, which will definitely help with

290

the injection of pace down the flank.

291

See what Jesse MAs does up front, whether

he goes with Jonathan David on his own or

292

whether he puts in someone like promised

David who's playing his trade in Belgium.

293

I know they started Carl

Laren that game, but.

294

There are still some, some things to

be finalized for that starting 11.

295

Nevertheless, one player who's an

injection of pace of Socceroo is Nest.

296

Roy, Iran.

297

Kda.

298

I don't think people really

understand his potential.

299

I think a few people in Canada

were surprised by what he was able

300

to do, and he's still a teenager

when looking at someone like him.

301

Mo tore.

302

It seems like the future's bright for

Tony Povich, not only for this World

303

Cup cycle, but also for the Asian Cup.

304

Would you agree?

305

Texi Smith: Yeah.

306

Yeah.

307

The the, the depth is, is it's

there and, and Tony Popovich has

308

had the opportunity to, to new

players, to, to bring players in.

309

And he's, he's done that.

310

So he, he doesn't seem too concerned

with the the fact that we're.

311

of teetering on the edge of two

pots for the for the World Cup draw.

312

He just wants to, to make sure

that he's seen all the players

313

and and he's giving them a chance.

314

So Iran Kda and and Toure playing

up front in New Zealand in the

315

last window was a revelation.

316

You know, we we, we were comfortably

ahead before we conceded at the end.

317

So we won three, one

two race scored twice.

318

It was yeah, it was, it was.

319

It was great to see.

320

We've, we've all seen Aaron Conda in

the A-League you know, two years ago.

321

was an absolute star then, you

know, he was what, 17, 16, 17.

322

And he, he's a powerful

323

PSP: Out the craft.

324

Texi Smith: He can finish.

325

He's got, he's got, a blistering finish.

326

He does have a little bit

of, bit of a streak in him.

327

You know, he, he's

capable of being sent off.

328

We've seen that before.

329

And he does react, but from the game

against Canada, we could see that he's,

330

he'd, he'd matured like it was, it was.

331

He was provoked by Richie Aria especially.

332

He, he took a slap in the face in

the first half of, off the ball.

333

I dunno if that was on

the, the TV coverage.

334

And and towards the end when he

was he was in a pushing match.

335

I can't remember who was with the the,

the big central defender from Canada.

336

You know, he, he didn't react in, in the

way that we, we might've seen in the past.

337

So he's, he's very exciting and

and he's, he's ripping it up in the

338

championship in, in England as well.

339

With with Watford.

340

So yeah, we're, we're gonna see

big things from from their story.

341

PSP: For the national team.

342

Now, you did mention that

an RO is an A-League alumni.

343

I mean, I still follow the matches

from abroad, but I haven't been

344

in the stands for a little while.

345

How is the, the A league

looking at the moment?

346

What's the structure looking like?

347

Texi Smith: The A League is,

it, it depends on, on who

348

you're talking to really.

349

Is, is the A league in a

good shape, difficult to say,

350

is the A league, you know.

351

Struggling financially?

352

I think it is.

353

it's a closed shop, so it's, it's,

there's no promotion relegation.

354

It's I guess it's a bit like

the, the North American leagues.

355

It's, it's kind of a license scenario.

356

So you, you have the license you can play.

357

We've had team dropout this year.

358

So we've had Western United who who were

refused entry into the, into the A-League.

359

Just for this season.

360

So they've, they've taken a hiatus,

which is a, a bizarre situation for me.

361

the football is, is fantastic though.

362

We've, we've had a lot, a, a bit

of a player drain to, to Europe

363

and to North America as well.

364

So there's been a lot more opportunity

for the younger players to come through

365

and we've seen the the quality that we.

366

we might not have had in the past from

the young players because they didn't

367

get their their, their opportunity.

368

But now they're getting the

opportunity and, and they're being

369

fast tracked to, to the big time.

370

So it's, it's, it's exciting.

371

It always has been exciting, but

just especially now in the last few

372

years, it's it's, it's started to

to really showcase the youth and and

373

we're, we're thoroughly enjoying it.

374

PSP: Good to see that the youth

movement is coming through because

375

, when the league started it, it did

have a bit of a reputation for.

376

Players that were

advanced in their careers.

377

That seemed to be their narrative.

378

But yeah, great to hear that Not

only is it youth players coming

379

through, but also players that

are going onto the national team.

380

'cause essentially, you, you

need that, you need that pipeline

381

of talent coming through.

382

As someone who's spent time in North

America has, who's been in two MLS

383

stadiums cF Montreal and Colorado Rapids.

384

Was there anything that you took away from

that experience that you'd like to see in

385

Australia or even the reverse, anything

that you see in the A leagues that you

386

think should be carried over to the MLS

or even , the Canadian Premier League?

387

Texi Smith: Yeah, , the size

of the stadiums, I mean,

388

that's perfect, like 20,000.

389

I if when it's full, it, it, it's,

it'll be be a fantastic atmosphere.

390

We, we have a few of the teams in

in Australia who play in stadiums.

391

They're way too big.

392

So we'll have Brisbane roar playing

at Suncorp Stadium with 8,000 fans.

393

it's it's, it's a cavern, you know, it's.

394

can't really make an And when,

when you watch on tv, the hole

395

of one stand is, is empty.

396

So it's it's a shame.

397

We, we just need to have that sort

of boutique stadium for every team.

398

And, and even my own team, the team that

I follow, Sydney fc, we play at at one of

399

the the main stadiums of Sydney Stadium.

400

It's fairly new and, it o often

it's, it's just not full enough.

401

So we, we just don't have

the, the volume of fans.

402

We, we need to have a stadium like that.

403

20,000 purpose built, no running

tracks around, around the, the field.

404

If we had that for every team, soccer

will be, will be even bigger here.

405

And just, just to create that,

that, that need for tickets as well.

406

So if you've, if you've got a

really popular game, a derby game,

407

and you fill your stadium, well

it, it gets hard to get tickets.

408

And that, that drives

people to, to go to games.

409

You know?

410

It, it's it's something that,

411

PSP: Something, but.

412

Texi Smith: look, I've, I've

talked about a lot in the past.

413

We just need the, the appropriate

sized stadium and to see CF

414

Montreal playing in a, in a.

415

a great stadium.

416

And the, the one in, in Denver that,

that was like, it was a little bit

417

open to the, to the elements and that

there was one of the stands at the

418

end wasn't really a stand, just the

atmosphere in there was was perfect.

419

PSP: Yeah, absolutely.

420

And I can talk to the

Brisbane experience Yeah.

421

I've been in Suncorp

Stadium on a Friday night.

422

I was there during the, an po, the

Cogo era before I went onto his great

423

success, not gracious, he today.

424

I, and I wish him well in the

future, but great success.

425

Celtic Yokohama and whatnot.

426

Before that, it was Brisbane Royal, and

I know some NSL folk will say before

427

that there was South Melbourne, but

Brisbane Royal was where he broke records.

428

But at the same time, like

you said, it wasn't a finals

429

game, it was sub 10, 12,000.

430

And the slander name for

the stadium is Sad Corp.

431

'cause it, it was pretty

sad on an evening.

432

Whereas you say it's pretty cavernous.

433

The lower Bowl is, half empty.

434

I also lived in Perth and Perth Glory

was once the signature the golden child

435

of, the NSO going into the A-League

era and HBF Park is coming along there.

436

I know they've done some renovations

there, so it's nice to see.

437

But yeah, I definitely coastline

what you're saying there.

438

You gotta have the right, the right

stadium, the right infrastructure.

439

I know it is a challenge

in Australia because.

440

The clubs have the ownership

structure that they have.

441

It's not like there's a, there's

a private backup behind them that

442

can just go and build a stadium.

443

You've gotta talk to the local government.

444

You've gotta talk to the local council.

445

There are a few moving parts, but

at the same time, I do remember.

446

The Buckleys group in Brisbane,

they were talking about potentially

447

redeveloping Perry Park, which is where

the Brisbane strikers used to play.

448

I know they've played

games out at Redcliffe.

449

I, I wouldn't recommend that personally

'cause it's a bit out of the way.

450

You got, you gotta have it

centrally located like, like Sydney,

451

where you have Allianz Stadium,

where it's a central location.

452

But yeah, that's probably a separate

podcast episode to go through all of that.

453

There's probably a few

things to solve there.

454

One gentleman who is going from Australia

to North America is James Johnson.

455

You may have heard of him.

456

He's had quite a bit to

do in football Australia.

457

He's gonna be, he's actually taken

over at Canada Soccer business.

458

Now, I feel that Canada is where

Australia was in the early two

459

thousands or the, the mid two thousands.

460

So remember when.

461

O'Neill and Lowe came in and they,

they took soccer Australia to the

462

FFA and built it up from there.

463

I think that's what Canada is right now.

464

So off the field, there's still bit of

work to be done to catch up to Australia,

465

other nations, but what can you see from

what James Johnson did in Australia?

466

What can Canadians expect

with what he's done in Oz?

467

Texi Smith: James Johnson's been a, a

great servant to football Australia.

468

I think he was there for five

and a half years, he, he, he

469

steered football through COVID.

470

I mean, that was, that was a difficult

time for everyone as we know.

471

he, he negotiated, you know, TB deals

we, we had the, the Women's World Cup as

472

well in in 2023, and he was instrumental

in bringing that to to our shores, which

473

was a, a huge success and, and brought

football into, into every household.

474

he's, he's, he's, he's brought results.

475

He's a, he is a, a quietly spoken

man, but he, he's very articulate.

476

And he, he's business savvy obviously.

477

F Football Australia was the same

the same sort of structure as Canada

478

soccer business in that they had

the leagues and the national teams,

479

but under James Johnson's tenure

that, that was split into two.

480

So the, leagues went out on their

own and the two national teams.

481

Well, there's more national teams,

but the two main national teams,

482

the Socceroos and the Matildas, were

then run , as a brand effectively.

483

And that, and that was where they

concentrated their, their efforts.

484

So perhaps we're going to see the

same thing for Canada a bit of a

485

mix up of of the current structure

concentrate on on, on really

486

promoting the, main national teams.

487

It's it's been successful here.

488

PSP: And yeah, that's definitely

been something that's happened in

489

the last, I'd say, six to 12 months,

especially with Jesse Marsh coming

490

into the men's head coaching role.

491

And Casey Ston is the women's coach.

492

They've definitely been given a charter to

not only find the best 11 on the field and

493

build a squad, but also to promote the

team, not just in Toronto, large city

494

in Canada, but to take the Canadian

soccer brand around the country.

495

So Vancouver, Montreal, as you

saw with the last friendly other

496

parts of Canada and Nova Scotia.

497

Different parts of Canada maybe not, have

not been touched as much in the past.

498

The game is definitely being pushed and

is being shared in different regions,

499

so it'll be interesting to see how.

500

James Johnson goes about it, but

I'm sure he has a lot to work with,

501

especially in and around next year.

502

'cause I think next year we're gonna

503

World Cup, the round ball is gonna

be, closer to its rightful place.

504

It's, still primarily a

hockey country in Canada.

505

I gradually accept it, but I.

506

The round ball is coming and

it's a sleeping giant, so

507

we watch with anticipation.

508

Texi Smith: that, that is, that is

a similarity with Australia as well.

509

So unlike 80%, 90% of the other countries

in the world, We have to battle against

510

the other codes in, in, in Australia, and

you have to do the same thing in Canada.

511

So it's a similarity and I'm sure James

Johnson is going to be the perfect man

512

to, to take you to, where you should be.

513

PSP: Indeed.

514

Now, I just wanted to get one more

insight from you because you may

515

remember in the mid two thousands, the

the soccer who had a bit of a golden

516

generation of talent Duka, keel Cahill.

517

Could you say that We're , seeing

a golden generation of coaches now.

518

Povich, pastor Colu, Kevin

Muskett, Joel Monte Murrow, who's

519

come home to coach the Matildas.

520

I do you think we're seeing a

technical riches on the touch line now?

521

Texi Smith: That's a fair point.

522

Yeah, we, we do have a, a depth in

our, in our coaches when it comes

523

to the time to change over coaches

for the for the national teams.

524

There are a number of names now

in line for, for those positions.

525

So when, when Graham Arnold stepped

down after a, a, disastrous start

526

to the, the World Cup campaign,

527

we were, we, we didn't know who

we were going going to get there.

528

There could have been a

number of names in there.

529

And for Tony Popovich to come in,

it's, it's, it's, it's been a,

530

a breath of fresh air, really.

531

A a a lot of people will have memories

of Tony Popovich in the national

532

team, and yeah, he's he's he, he

plays for the, for the country.

533

He's you know, he's, he's got his

he, he, he, he bleeds Australia.

534

PSP: right.

535

Texi Smith: he's a, he's a tough man.

536

He's a someone who brings

in the, a real battling.

537

Quality into his teams.

538

So yeah, we've, we, we have got quality

out there and and it's great to see

539

that they're being recognized around

the world, especially people like Post

540

Colu and and Kevin Musker as well.

541

So, yeah, it'd be interesting to

see where Kevin Musker up next.

542

PSP: I'll say one of my Scottish

contemporaries or contacts, if you will,

543

, there's some talk that he's been linked

to the the Rangers job, so that would be a

544

huge BO if you imagine, musket versus poa.

545

Coglin, the old firm.

546

'cause it's not, it's not out

of the possibility that post

547

Colar returns in Scotland.

548

I feel like he left South on a good note.

549

He'll definitely catch onto a good job.

550

What happened in Nottingham

is not his doing.

551

That was a, that was a bad situation

for him, so wish him the best.

552

We'll call it a.

553

Greek tragedy.

554

One thing that hasn't been a tragedy

though, has been this interview.

555

It's been a pleasure having you on text.

556

I know we can find you on the X

Machine, formerly known as Twitter.

557

You are over at Smith, TEXI, and we

can find your work over at the raw.

558

Where else can we find

you in the digital space?

559

Texi Smith: You'll probably

find me on Facebook.

560

Instagram, you know, just,

just the usual places.

561

Taxi Smith, you'll find

me on Amazon as well.

562

I've got a number of football fiction

books have been published through

563

Fair Play, fair Play Publishing.

564

They're a great read.

565

I've, I've got a lot of experience

in football in general, so you know,

566

that, that comes through in my writing.

567

But yeah look me up and send me a message.

568

I'll be in touch.

569

Thank you.

570

PSP: Absolutely, and we'll definitely

571

We'll definitely wanna get your

insights into the green gold and the

572

rise of the Socceroos and the Matildas.

573

In any case, taxi.

574

It's been a pleasure having you on.

575

I've been your host, ne Wallace Bruce,

and this has been another episode of PSP.