Sydney FC Head Coach Ufuk Talay has denied he has spoken with A-League rivals Western Sydney Wanderers amid speculation he’s set to sign for the Parramatta club on a long term deal.
Talay, who’s coached the Sky Blues since 2023, says his main priority is leading the club to silverware this season and any reports on his future are speculation.
“My sole focus is on our last six games,” he said.
“No conversations have happened, so the reality is, this is what makes the game go around.
“Speculation and rumours are the best part of it, I’m an off-contract coach at the end of the season, but my focus is to finish well here.
“We want to go all the way and I think we’re in a great position to do that.”
“We play against Melbourne City, a very good side. I think they did us very proud within the ACL (AFC Champions League) competition as an Australian club.
“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.”
City come into the match on a five-game winless streak including the recent AFC Champions League knockout to Thai outfit Buriram United.
Talay boasts Sydney FC’s fourth-highest win percentage since taking over and looks to take the club back to the A-League Finals after a one-year hiatus.
Talay addressed the recovery of winger Joe Lolley, who suffered an ankle injury during the side’s 1–0 win over Wellington.
“He’s started to do his rehab now. He had his surgery. It’s not easy being injured.”
“I think he’s in a good place and I think he’s working very hard to see if we can push him for that last game of the season.”
Talay also confirmed that goalkeeper Gus Hoefsloot will return from a hand injury for the first time in a number of weeks.
The Sky Blues boss also praised Captain Rhyan Grant who will play his 400th game for the club tomorrow.
“I think it’s a great milestone for himself and also for the club, to get to 400 games,’ Talay continued.
“[It’s] very hard in this competition, [I’m] very proud of what Rhyan achieved personally for himself and also for the club.”
