The departure of two of the biggest names in the A-League is giving the next generation of local coaches a chance to shine, says Western Sydney Wanderers boss Tony Popovic.

On Friday, Phil Moss became the latest A-League coaching understudy to rise to the top job, when he was handed the reigns of champions the Central Coast Mariners following Graham Arnold’s move to J-League outfit Vegalta Sendai.

That leadership change follows Kevin Muscat’s accession to new Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou’s manager’s chair at the Melbourne Victory last month.

The A-League has now lost two of its most high profile figures and how that will affect the competition in the medium term remains to be seen.

But Popovic, Australia’s leading young coach, believes the departure of Arnold and Postecoglou, who share the last three A-League titles between them, can usher in a new era of managerial talent in Australia.

“Its great to see,” Popovic said on Friday.

“I got an opportunity at this club which I’m very grateful for and it’s great to see a lot of younger coaches are getting opportunities within clubs, in Kevin (Muscat) and now Phil (Moss) and I hope to see that trend continue.

The Victory’s transition to Muscat has not been without issues but he was always deservedly going to be given the coach’s job after Postecoglou’s exit and will be given every chance to prove himself.

Likewise Moss who never reached the playing heights of the others but is well-regarded within the Mariners set-up.

Arnold’s former assistant said the Mariners’ succession planning would ensure the club’s success would outlast him.

“Taking over from someone like Graham Arnold can be seen as massive shoes to fill but when he sets such good structures in place it really is a seamless transition,” Moss said.

“I would like to think I will keep the ship sailing in the same direction as Arnie.

“I don’t profess to be Graham Arnold but I have worked under him for a long time and we have very similar philosophies and principles on football.

“We are similar personalities but obviously I will do things a little differently because I haven’t had the experience that Arnie has had.

“There will be tweaks here and there as I put my own my own stamp on things and run things my way.

“I’m my own man – I think you have to be as a head coach.”