Sam Kerr and Aaron Mooy feature in top 10 most influential people in Australian soccer
A new era of Australian soccer has been born as the Lowy family, Ange Postecoglou, Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak, who have in recent years dominated the top 10 most influential list, no longer feature. So what does make the list? The top 10 revealed.
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Politics meets soccer in the 2018 list of the game’s powerbrokers.
The Lowy family, Ange Postecoglou, Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak have in recent years dominated to top spots in the Herald Sun’s annual list of the 10 most influential people in Australian soccer.
But their 2018 absence signifies the dawn of a new era for Australian soccer.
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Postecoglou just misses out this time, but his Yokohama F Marinos (Japan) contract extension leaves him in pole position to become Australia’s European ‘Big 5’ coaching trailblazer.
India-based Cahill could easily feature again depending on his job of choice post career.
Newly elected FFA board members Remo Nogarotto, Joseph Carrozzi and Heather Reid will be hands on.
Craig Foster (SBS) and Mark Bosnich (Fox Sports) remain the two most prominent TV voices.
The list reflects the key players in the two-year FFA Congress dispute, which was only recently resolved.
Football NSW chief Anter Isaac was stiff to miss out, with his gutsy move in becoming the first state to stop voting as a state bloc playing a key role in governance reform.
Moving forward, Western Sydney owner Paul Lederer will become more prominent after he was appointed chairman of the A-League umbrella group.
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TOP 10 MOST INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE IN AUSTRALIAN SOCCER (2018)
1. CHRIS NIKOU (FFA chairman)
Won a hotly contested race for the chairmanship after the Lowy family led Australian soccer for 14 years. Nikou lived in the shadows in his three years on the FFA board. He is now in the driver’s seat, with no shortage of issues to tackle.
2. PATRICK DELANY/PETER CAMPBELL (Fox Sports chiefs)
Funds a huge chunk of FFA revenue and holds the A-League rights until 2023, with expansion reiterating Fox Sports’ importance. Foxtel chief executive Delany has been a long-time advocate while Campbell recently became Fox Sports chief executive.
3. SAM KERR (Matildas superstar)
The backflipping, goalscoring sensation has helped propel the Matildas to near favouritism at the 2019 World Cup. Kerr remains Australia’s biggest female sports star as the women’s movement gathers steam. A host of gongs recognised her stardom and on-field impact.
4. DAVID GALLOP (FFA chief executive)
Tough years during the governance dispute, but Gallop’s power base has shored up with three of the previous FFA board staying on. Should have more freedom, and must stand up and lead from the front.
5. AARON MOOY (Socceroos and Huddersfield Town midfielder)
Reluctantly steps into the spotlight, with top 10 regulars Cahill and Jedinak retiring. Mooy is the Socceroos’ key, and along with Brighton keeper Mat Ryan, has become the first Aussie to star in the Premier League in years.
6. GRAHAM ARNOLD (Socceroos coach)
After a reluctance to appoint Australian coaches, Arnold’s arrival so soon after Ange Postecoglou’s tenure marks a key shift in the perception of local coaches. A healthy national team is vital for FFA’s budget, with the A-League set for autonomy.
7. SIMON PEARCE (Melbourne City vice-chairman)
The City Football Group powerbroker was politically active during the governance battle, and will continue as the A-League club’s chief strategist on the new A-League model and as the game approaches an era of change.
8, ANTHONY DI PIETRO (Melbourne Victory chairman)
The chairman of the A-League’s most powerful club, which is valued at $40 million, is playing a bigger role and will exert more influence in this next era of Australian soccer as the clubs become more powerful.
9, JOHN DIDULICA (PFA chief executive)
Key peacemaker during reform impasse, the players’ union is the biggest FFA Congress stakeholder. Championed the women’s movement, the PFA will shape key elements of the game’s agenda, headlined by the salary cap and CBA.
10. LOU STICCA (player agent and Western Melbourne FC backer)
Returns inside the top 10 after helping Western Melbourne secure an expansion license. The super agent, who’s signed the A-League’s biggest stars — Alessandro Del Piero, Dwight Yorke and Shinji Ono — is back in the marquee market.
THE 2017 LIST
1. Tim Cahill and Mile Jedinak
2. Sam Kerr
3. Gianni Infantino
4. Steven Lowy
5. Simon Pearce
6. Ange Postecoglou
7. Patrick Delany and Mark Bosnich
8. David Gallop
9. John Didulica
10. Anter Isaac
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