Austria and Japan Between 2002 and 2006, Popović served as player-manager of Austrian lower league sides TuS FC Arnfels and SV Pachern. He led the team to the
2015 Segunda División play-offs, but fell short, losing to
Las Palmas on the
away goals rule. While at Zaragoza, Popović was named the
Segunda División Manager of the Month by the
LFP in October 2015. He was dismissed on 20 December 2015, after a 3–1 loss against
Gimnàstic.
Thailand and India In August 2016,
Thai League club
Buriram United appointed Popović as the club manager to fill the vacant role after the dismissal of
Afshin Ghotbi. He left the position in June 2017 after receiving a three-month ban by the
Thai FA (FAT) for slapping his team's physio after a league game earlier that month. In September 2017,
Indian Super League side
Pune City appointed Popović as new manager. He parted ways with the club in May 2018.
Vojvodina On 11 August 2023, After spending three seasons in
Machida Zelvia, Popović took over
Serbian SuperLiga club
Vojvodina, signing a deal until the end of the season
2023–24.
Kashima Antlers On 21 December 2023, after a brief half-season at
Vojvodina, Popović joined
J1 League club
Kashima Antlers. Popović has some mixed results at the start of the season but an 11 game unbeaten streak in the middle of the season saw Kashima solidly in the top 3 of the league. However, results started to drop off and in spite of a 4–0 league victory over
Albirex Niigata, Popović was dismissed with Antlers sitting in 4th in the table and only 6 games left in the season. ==Personal life==