midfielder
Well-Known Member
From the age one person view of the moves and shakers in Australia football.. I dare say there will come a day quite soon when Frank will not be in charge...
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/soccer/billionaire-frank-lowy-the-most-powerful-man-in-australian-soccer/story-e6frfg8x-1226268665140
IT'S eight years since the Federal Government handed the control of soccer to billionaire Frank Lowy to usher in a new era.
The Socceroos' performance at the 2006 World Cup in Germany and the opening three seasons of the A-League represented a boon for the game, but it has languished for the past four years.
Enter Harry Kewell. After 16 years abroad, his homecoming triggered renewed interest in the A-League, sparking fresh free-to-air interest.
At 81, Lowy is soccer's godfather and its most powerful man in Australia - not to mention his 15 per cent stake in Sydney Football Club - but his leadership continues to come under scrutiny.
Taxpayers bankrolled the bid for Australia to host the World Cup in 2022 to the tune of $45 million and the blowtorch was meant to be applied to Australian soccer via the Government-commissioned Smith Report.
Well-placed sources suggest the final version was heavily watered down from the original, which was scathing of FFA's governance.
The next TV deal is pivotal.
Early estimates have doubled the current $19 million a year contract, but Communications Minister Stephen Conroy will have a big bearing on this, when he determines whether the Socceroos' World Cup qualifiers should be added to the anti-siphoning list, blocking any exclusive pay-TV deal.
The Socceroos are central to the TV deal and FFA's revenue streams, hence the inclusion in the squad for the qualifiers of coach Holger Osieck and captain Lucas Neill, who is arguably the team's most important player.
Narrowly missing out are Brett Holman, arguably the key young player of the future, and our highest- profile overseas player Tim Cahill.
FFA technical director Han Berger's legacy will only be realised in years to come, but his work on Australia's youth curriculum and educating coaches has been immense.
Ange Postecoglou and Graham Arnold's Brisbane and Central Coast sides have consistently been the best in the past 18 months and this is a credit to the two finest local coaches in the A-League.
But Postecoglou's Roar has revolutionised domestic soccer and his impact will only grow.
Former Socceroo Craig Foster is the key media agenda-setter, underpinned by his enormous contribution behind the scenes, with Fox Sports' Mark Bosnich - who appeals to a wider, non-soccer audience - narrowly pipped for a top 10 spot.
The poorer the shape of the game the greater the role of players' chief Brendan Schwab and he is as challenged as he has been since the A-League began.
Current and former Socceroos will shape the game in years to come. Local coaches succeeding abroad is the next frontier and Tony Popovic, assistant coach at English second-tier side Crystal Palace, leads the way.
Like Lucas Neill, Mark Schwarzer has the stature and diplomacy to play a key administrative role in future if he decides to pursue that path.
And Australia desperately needs another pin-up boy, with Mark Viduka's and eventually Kewell's career drawing to a close.
DAVID DAVUTOVIC'S 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIAN SOCCER
1. Frank Lowy (Football Federation Australia chairman)
Lowy’s star’s somewhat faded after the disastrous World Cup bid, but as FFA chairman and one of Australia’s richest men (estimated worth $4.3b) he remains soccer’s biggest powerbroker and the key reason for the Federal Government’s support.
Unanimously re-elected for another four-year term last November.
2. Senators Mark Arbib and Stephen Conroy (Minister for Sport and Minister for Communications)
The Labor tag-team will play a huge role in shaping soccer’s future.
Government funding ($150m-plus from Liberal and Labor since FFA was formed in 2004) remains crucial while Senator Stephen Conroy will do FFA a huge favour if he reverses plans to add Socceroos World Cup qualifiers to the anti-siphoning list, thus adding millions to the worth of the new TV deal.
3. Holger Osieck (Socceroos coach)
The 2006 World Cup turbo-charged the game domestically and Socceroos World Cup qualification remains soccer’s biggest ace.
Charged with the task of regenerating the squad as well as qualifying for Brazil 2014, coach Holger Osieck has a tougher job than predecessor Pim Verbeek.
4. Harry Kewell (Melbourne Victory marquee player)
Kewell’s on-field impact has been minor but the Socceroo legend’s homecoming has triggered an A-League resurgence at a key juncture.
Record TV ratings and a spike in crowd numbers came off the back of the worst season yet and ahead of negotiations for the new TV deal, which expires in 2013.
5. Han Berger (FFA technical director)
Han who? The Dutchman has championed a raft of changes from grassroots up which could revolutionise the game.
Advocating “football, not fightball” as he attempts to transform our soccer culture in line with world leaders like Brazil, Spain and Holland. Remains frustrated at sometimes being overruled by FFA’s top brass.
6. Brendan Schwab (Professional Footballers’ Association chief executive and FIFPro Asia chairman)
One of the most respected figures in Australia and holds international clout with his work for FIFPro (worldwide body representing the players).
His tough negotiaton and intimate knowledge of soccer from his 20-plus year involvement has Schwab viewed by many good judges as an FFA CEO-in-waiting.
Currently keeping the governing body accountable as chief of the players’ union.
7. Craig Foster (SBS analyst)
Knocks many noses out of joint but recently no-one’s done more to educate Australians on technical and cultural issues and bringing Australia in line with top football nations.
Shapes opinion at all levels and has the ear of influential people in Canberra, including Sen. Arbib.
His work with refugees and Indigenous Australians is understated.
8. Lucas Neill (Socceroos captain)
Probably the Socceroos’ key player with his leadership plus the lack of defensive depth but equally, if not more important will be his influence post-football.
Neill may yet go on to coach but he and Mark Schwarzer are among the few players who are potential administrators and football knowledge is something which is seriously lacking at FFA HQ.
Could still play a part in a west Sydney bid.
9. Ange Postecoglou (Brisbane Roar coach)
Australia’s modern-day coaching trailblazer having succeeded in implementing an attacking, possession-based game which has transcended the A-League.
Could be Australia’s answer to Arsene Wenger as he attempts to establish an academy at Roar, the next frontier for A-League clubs.
10. Ben Buckley (FFA chief executive)
The game’s stagnated on Buckley’s watch. Among the key issues is an alarming turnover of staff and botched A-League expansion into North Queensland and Gold Coast.
Buckley’s focus is the new TV deal but FFA can’t lose sight of other issues.
