Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay has shut down suggestions he’s been talking to crosstown rivals Western Sydney Wanderers about joining the club next season.
The Sky Blues boss is off contract at the end of the 2025-26 Isuzu UTE A-League campaign having signed a one year extension at the end of last season.
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Reports in the media this week suggested the Wanderers have held talks with Talay over the prospect of the 49-year-old taking charge at CommBank Stadium however the Sydney FC Head Coach says there’s nothing to discuss.
“Yeah look, no conversations have happened,” said Talay when asked about the rumours.
“So the reality is, this is what makes the game go around, speculation, rumours.
“I think this is the best part of it. Like players when they’re off contract, I’m an off contract coach at the end of the season, but like I said, my focus is to finish well here.
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“We want to go all the way. I think we’re in a great position to do that. So, so that’s the main focus.
He added: “No, nothing weighs on my mind. The reality is, is I’m an off-contract coach. I need to make decisions about my future, where I stand, and I also need to make decisions what’s best for my family, like players do.
“So that’s the reality of football. You know, like I said, for me, my focus is to really finish off very strong here and have those discussions down the track later.”
Despite missing out on playing in last season’s Final Series, Talay was handed a new one-year contract extension.
Unlike the situation with the Wanderers, the Sky Blues boss says talks have been held over his future at his current club.
“Yeah, look, there’s been some discussions, but look at this present stage my sole focus is on our last six games.
“We play against Melbourne City who’s a very good side. I think they did us very proud within the ACL competition as an Australian club.
“So, you know they’re out of that competition now, so they’ll shift their focus to the A-League where they need to really pick up points to play finals football.
“So we’re very wary of the opposition, but we know where we want to end up as well.”
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Sydney FC currently sit third on the Isuzu UTE A-League ladder and seven points behind league leaders Newcastle Jets.
Furthermore, the Sky Blues also have the added pressure of rivals Melbourne Victory breathing down their necks, with Arthur Diles’ side sat just a point behind them in fourth place.
Tenth-placed Melbourne City head into the game at Allianz Stadium sat 11 points behind Talay’s side and know the clash in the Harbour City is somewhat of a must-win.
Aurelio Vidmar’s side currently sit five points outside the top six, albeit with a game in hand, however defeat would be a hammer blow for their chances of qualifying for the Finals Series.
