Five key issues James Johnson must tackle immediately when he takes up FFA chief executive role

Welcome to one of the most challenging roles in Aussie sport, James Johnson! The new FFA chief executive starts next month, and has to hit the ground running. Here are five of his most pressing issues.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 13: Stephanie Catley of Australia and Rebekah Stott of New Zealand pose for photos during the announcement of Australia & New Zealand's Joint Bid to host the FIFA Women's 2023 World Cup, at AAMI Park on December 13, 2019 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Wayne Taylor/Getty Images)

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James Johnson has stepped into one of the most challenging roles in Australian sport.

The new chief executive of Football Federation Australia starts work next month after a year that saw the game buffeted by falling crowds, fallout from the sacking of a national coach and continued antagonism among some of the key stakeholders.

In the short and long term, David Gallop’s successor has an overflowing in-tray to tackle – here are five of the most pressing issues.

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James Johnson succeeds David Gallop as FFA CEO from January.

1. Build relations with .... A-League clubs

As we get closer to the competition going independent, it becomes more important than ever to rebuild torched relationships with the club owners who fought former FFA chairman Steven Lowy (and Gallop) with such vitriol.

From the release of players for national teams to cross-promotion and investment, the game can only grow if the FFA and the clubs co-operate rather than distrust.

2. Build relations with .... FIFA and Asian Football Confederation

Having worked in senior roles at both, Johnson will be aware of the suspicion and indifference Australia can provoke.

There’s countless ways Australian involvement can be a positive influence, from building up the Asian Champions League to helping the global game deal with climate change.

With a Women’s World Cup bid to lobby for, Johnson’s air miles will quickly rack up.

3. Build relations with ... government

The FFA has made inroads in the past year into a $500-million backlog of building and renovating playing facilities for the 1.9 million people who play football at grassroots level.

But still there is a perception that AFL and NRL more effectively have the ear of governments and associated bodies such as stadium trusts.

Australia and New Zealand have putting in a joinjt bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

4. Question juniors playing costs

While the majority of social footballers pay reasonable fees given the length of season, parents know how quickly costs rise for children with ability.

The suspicion is some clubs use their academy fees to subsidise their senior teams, while private academies fleece gullible parents.

The game must push to inject transparency into the way academies are license and force clubs to publish where those fees go.

5. Recruit good football people

Johnson is the first FFA CEO to have grown up in the game. With the bulk of FFA’s senior officials having left, he gets the chance to bring in new faces with skill and vision, but also with an understanding of football and its culture.

The junior staff need some inspiring leadership after watching morale plummet over the past 12 months.