Carl Valeri says whoever takes control in FFA power struggle must have future focus

RESPECTED Victory veteran and former Socceroo Carl Valeri says he does not care who ends up running the game in Australia, so long as they have soccer’s best interests at heart.

Kevin Muscat talks to Carl Valeri during a match. Picture: George Salpigtidis

RESPECTED Melbourne Victory veteran and former Socceroo Carl Valeri says he does not care who ends up running the game in Australia, so long as they have soccer’s best interests at heart.

With the game now in limbo after Thursday’s controversial AGM failed to find a consensus on the make-up of Football Federation Australia’s voting congress, the prospect of world governing body FIFA wiping out the existing FFA board is very real.

That also clouds the search for a new Socceroos coach.

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And one of the mooted candidates, Victory boss Kevin Muscat, says he has not been contacted about the possibility of taking the team to next year’s World Cup.

Victory skipper Valeri, a 52-time Socceroo and active player’s union member, said there are issues in the game that have been put on hold during soccer’s bitter civil war.

“It’s a tough one for me to comment on,” Valeri said.

Melbourne Victory star Carl Valeri. Picture: George Salpigtidis

“But really, I don’t mind if there’s a lot of arguing and bickering so as long as the end goal is to make the sport as good as it can be here - which I believe is in everyone’s best interests.

“It’s not about the individual, it’s about the next generations coming through. There are too many areas that need addressing that are being missed.

“So as long as, when this is all done, whoever is in charge has that in mind then I’ll be at peace.

“Whether it’s the current FFA, FIFA coming in, the PFA, everyone needs to have the game’s best interests at heart.”

FFA chief executive David Gallop said the prospect of a FIFA takeover would not alter the timetable in regards to a search for a replacement for Ange Postecoglou.

Kevin Muscat is in the conversation to replace Ange Postecoglou.

There have been calls for an independent committee of experts to oversee the appointment process and Gallop intimated that was a path his organisation would go down.

“We’ll obviously look to take on board football expertise and make sure we’ve got the field covered,” Gallop said.

While Graham Arnold is considered the favourite to take charge, Muscat’s name is another that has been pushed.

But the man himself won’t be actively campaigning.

“I’ve gone on record saying it’s the pinnacle of your career to represent your country,” Muscat said.

“But at this point in time I haven’t been spoken to so everything else is hypothetical.

“I don’t believe you put your hand up for such an honourable position, I think you’re chosen.”

Originally published as Carl Valeri says whoever takes control in FFA power struggle must have future focus