Both a player and an assistant coach for the harbour city club, Talay, 47, is tipped for what would effectively be a homecoming after Corica’s 18-year association with the club was cut short just a month after lifting the Australia Cup.

However, three losses to start the season, and little sigh of life from a side which has grown stale under his watch, prompted Sydney to pull the trigger, paving the way for Corica’s one-time assistant Talay to take the reins of the four-time A-League premiers.

Corica, 50, bid farewell to his players at training to end his five-year stretch at the helm. He was club’s longest serving coach, winning a premiership and two championships during his tenure. Not to mention his exploits as a Sydney player.

Talay, who left his assistant role at Sydney for the top job at Wellington in 2018, has been riding shotgun with Graham Arnold’s Socceroos in recent camps, but has made no secret of his desire to return to clubland.

He quit the ‘Nix earlier this year, signalling his intention to chase an overseas position after previously coming close to replacing Tony Popovic at Melbourne Victory, the club’s reluctance to stump up a seven-figure compensation package for Popovic believed to have closed that particular door.

Whilst the Sydney board have acted decisively to axe Corica so early in the campaign, the club legend has been on thin ice for at least a year, only a late charge into last season’s playoffs delaying what has ultimately proved the inevitable.

The club have opted to “move in a new direction," Sydney FC chairman Scott Barlow said in a statement.

"Steve is a legend of our club and has made an incredible contribution as both a player and coach over our 19-year history.

"He is a true gentleman who has always put Sydney FC first and I would like to personally thank him for all he has done."

Sydney are goalless and pointless at the bottom of the ladder, with assistant David Zdrilic taking charge of first-team training on Tuesday. 

It doesn’t get any easier with a trip to face leaders Adelaide United on Saturday night amidst speculation the club may act swiftly to confirm Corica’s replacement.