With current Sydney FC coach Graham Arnold all but set to lead the Socceroos after the 2018 World Cup, former Western Sydney Wanderers coach Tony Popovic has been sensationally linked to the Sky Blues top job.

MORE: Cahill limited to another brief cameo in latest Millwall win

The Sunday Telegraph reports that Popovic is on the club's radar as they get ready to replace a coach who has led them to A-League domination over the past 18 months.

Arnold was among those short-listed as an option to replace Ange Postecoglou as Socceroos coach, with the FFA ultimately opting for the experienced Bert van Marwijk as a short-term appointment.

Contracted to Sydney FC, Arnold was always unlikely to lead the Socceroos at the 2018 World Cup but is set to travel to Russia to watch the side, with strong suggestions he'll replace van Marwijk at the end of the tournament.

Should that happen, the Sky Blues would have a considerable coaching void to fill with Popovic a potentially controversial option to take up the job.

Popovic is currently without a club after an ill-fated spell in Turkey with Karabukspor; a side he dramatically joined on the cusp of the 2017/18 A-League season.

The 44-year-old had coached Western Sydney since their inception in 2012 leading them to Asian Champions League glory in 2014 as well as three unsuccessful domestic finals.

Popovic is no stranger to the other side of Sydney however, having spent one season as a player with Sydney FC before acting as assistant coach between 2008-2011.

The former Crystal Palace player ended his reign at the Wanderers with a win rate of 42 percent, a feat he couldn't quite match in Turkey where he secured just three wins to go with six defeats.