Who holds the coaching aces in the A-League now that Postecoglou, Arnold are gone? With the upcoming World Cup, many A-League players are hoping to impress Ange Postecoglou and force their way into the 23-man squad heading to Brazil. Which coach will step up in the absence of Ange and Arnie? WHILE Australian football celebrated the graduation of Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold to greener pastures, the departure of the two dominant coaches of the last five years has left the A-League's coaching ranks looking rather green. Tony Popovic is the undisputed No. 1 seed in our domestic competition, but now that the power trio have been broken up at the top, it's a difficult task measuring a new-look pecking order because of the mix of unproven rookies, foreigners yet to prove themselves and older heads at clubs who demand success or else. If there's ever a glimpse into the turbulent life of a coach, it will come this Sunday when Melbourne Heart host Adelaide United. John Aloisi is under extraordinary pressure at AAMI Park after a dire start to the season, but patience is also wearing thin at Coopers Stadium, where Josep Gombau's philosophies are playing second fiddle to what the Adelaide faithful want - goals, and results. In the post-Postecoglou/Arnold A-League era, who holds the coaching cards? TONY POPOVIC, Western Sydney Wanderers Still in his formative years as a coach but Popovic has taken to his new career seamlessly. He's ruthless in what he expects from his side, his training sessions are notoriously brutal and he is already renowned for the level of detail he brings to his side's preparation. Even seasoned players enthuse about what they're learning under the former Socceroos defender. His side set the benchmark last term over the regular season and his fierce competitive nature seems to drive the best out of his players, and so far, has maintained the standards in year two. Tony Popovic has proven to be a shrewd operator early in his career. After an apprenticeship in youth and womens football, Mulvey has succeeded in returning a match-winning edge to Brisbane with glimpses of the eye-catching style that earned them back-to-back championships. Articulate in the media and not afraid to speak his mind, Mulvey has recruited shrewdly and despite early-season injuries, managed to keep the Roar at the summit. His side leads the league in key indicators this season, including discipline and shots and are up with the Wanderers in defensive stakes. The former Socceroo was brought to the Glory after a career in Australia's youth system and has done a solid job integrating some bright young talent with a core of A-League veterans. Glory are always hard to break down, but haven't quite yet had the luxury of all their attacking players at their disposal. Just two wins so far this season, but signs are positive in the west and Edwards looks safe in his post. Want a snapshot of the fragility of coaching, in football and in the A-League? All of a sudden, Newcastle Jets' van Egmond is the longest serving coach in the business, and even he was under the pump up until three weeks ago. There are still major questions over his penchant to tinker with his side and keep the ball, often at the expense of penetration, but three bright recent performances might have placated that. And he does have one major string to his bow: he is one of two A-League championship winning coaches in the competition (along with Ernie Merrick). ERNIE MERRICK, Wellington Phoenix Only a lamentable Melbourne Heart are keeping Wellington off the foot of the table, but they've got the wiliest old A-League coach at the helm as they look to re-build, and it's not all bad over the ditch. Their season has been punctuated by All Whites distractions and an unprecedented travel schedule, but at times, the Nix have played some eye-catching football, most notably when they pushed the Wanderers at Pirtek Stadium. Change can take time and someone with Merrick's track record - two A-League championships with Melbourne Victory - can be backed at Westpac Stadium. Sydney FC are in a far healthier position in the A-League this term than Wellington, for example, but such is the scrutiny at Moore Park that any coach of Sydney FC seems to operate off a different yardstick. There's probably not a coach with more scrutiny on him than the former Socceroos boss but Sydney FC's dramatic late winner against Wellington on Saturday has helped Farina to three straight wins and a bit of breathing space. Performance standards and fluency are still not quite at the standard he'd probably like them, but finally, a bit of consistency at the selection table is. He still can't seem to solve disciplinary issues on the field but with Alessandro Del Piero at his disposal, creative deficiencies in his side are curtailed. Frank Farina has sailed some stormy seas already this season. PHIL MOSS, Central Coast Mariners Come the end of the season, Moss could be up the top of the list if the transition from Graham Arnold to the former Manly coach is as seamless as the club hopes. He's certainly done an apprenticeship as Arnie's right hand man, is well liked and respected and enjoyed an injury-time win on debut. The structures are in place at Gosford, now it's Moss's stage to lead the Championship defence and maintain the contagious spirit within the Mariners camp. KEVIN MUSCAT, Melbourne Victory Ditto what was said about Moss, except that there's so many more great unknowns about Muscat, namely how he will cope under pressure and will we see the firebrand player return in a suit? After an apprenticeship under Ange Postecoglou it is said that personality trait has been slightly curbed, but expect him to continue to speak his mind. We saw a glimpse of his man management with James Troisi after he was sacrificed on Saturday night in a tactical shift after a send-off. It should be fun to watch Melbourne Victory under Kevin Muscat. The Spaniard charmed in the early weeks of the season with Adelaide's pleasing style of football, but as the weeks have worn on, and the goals have dried up, how much longer will fans remain patient at Coopers Stadium? Gombau, who had experience coaching in Barcelona's junior sides before cutting his teeth in Hong Kong, has pleaded for patience as his style of football becomes more comfortable for his team. Time will tell, but for now, the jury is out. JOHN ALOISI, Melbourne Heart Poor John Aloisi. The Socceroos legend is having a torrid time in the coach's box, thrust into the role after just a season as a Youth Coach and his side has struggled to make an impression since. Winless this season, after notching just eight victories last term, the side look bereft of ideas and don't even mention what happens when they fly out of Melbourne. They might as well not go. There's plenty of people who want to see it work but whether the club's hierarchy - who took the gamble of appointing him ahead of Ante Milicic - let him stick out the season, is a big, big if.