FFA board getting closer to appointing successor to David Gallop as chief executive
The FFA is honing in on a successor for Davld Gallop, with the candidates to replace him enjoying the support of influential backers.
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As the reign of David Gallop enters its final weeks, the hunt for a new CEO for Football Federation Australia is also reaching the pointy end.
Candidates have been told the FFA board hopes to make a decision by the end of November, to allow for at least an informal handover period before Gallop heads off into the sunset on December 31.
Depending on the notice period of the successful candidate, that could mean they start early in the new year, and Confidential hears several of the candidates have influential champions.
Some of the club owners believe City Group official James Johnson would be a good choice to foster relations with the independent A-League, while supporters of financial services exec — and ex-player — Peter Abraam point to his commercial connections in terms of seeking fresh investment in the game.
Football Federation Victoria CEO Peter Filopoulos has received credit for the government money he has secured at grassroots level, while Brendan Schwab — Executive Director of the World Players Association — has powerful allies including FFA director Remo Nogarotto.
Perversely, though, the new CEO won’t be able to reshape FFA as he chooses, as that’s already been done by external consultants.
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Former Sydney FC player Cameron Devlin has a contract at Wellington Phoenix, but not apparently a house. Word is that when the 21-year-old moved to Wellington he didn't get a flat, opting instead for a roll-up mattress on a teammate's floor. Whatever works!
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Talking of housing issues, Michael Marrone fancies his hand at a bit of building — even though he's not exactly experienced in that department.
The Adelaide United mainstay, who until recently lived a stone's throw away from Coopers Stadium, has bought some farmland on the fringe of the Adelaide Hills and is designing and building a home for his wife and toddler.
While the handiwork is happening the family are bunking down in a garage on the property. We hear Marrone's dad, who does have a bit of building know how, is helping out.
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Sydney FC hosting Wellington this weekend is the perfect excuse to dig out this picture from the Confidential files, showing the two opposing head coaches as fresh-faced teammates back in 2006.
Ufuk Talay and Steve Corica were joined at the hip as Sky Blues players and (last season) as head coach and assistant, but there’s been complete radio silence this week between them with Talay bringing Phoenix to Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.