The 10 most influential people in Australian soccer

THE winds of change are swirling through Australian soccer, but there is still one man who wields more power than any other. David Davutovic lists the sport’s top 10 most influential.

THE winds of change are swirling through Australian soccer circles and the annual list reflects this.

Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou retains his title as the game’s most influential figure ahead of a crucial 2017 that’s headlined by June’s Confederations Cup, a prize for winning the 2015 Asian Cup.

Yes, I am the most influential man in Australian soccer. Picture: Tim Hunter

Beneath there is significant movement.

With a new Fox Sports A-League deal imminent off the back of extending their Socceroos rights, network chief Patrick Delany is one of the game’s big powerbrokers.

MORE: Fox Sports and FFA agree to $200m A-League TV deal

The impact of the Socceroos’ highest profile player Tim Cahill has increased drastically since signing with Melbourne City.

Postecoglou and Cahill are the biggest reasons expansion talk is red-hot _ the coach with his strong comments in his book “Changing the Game” and the latter with his positive impact on the league.

Thereafter the political intrigue kicks in.

Football Federation Australia chairman Steven Lowy and chief executive David Gallop sandwich Melbourne City board member Simon Pearce, who tops a three-man batch of the increasingly influential club representatives who are agitating for change.

While Craig Foster answered an SOS to fix a fractured Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), new chief John Didulica has returned the union back to its agenda-setting ways.

The PFA will almost certainly be represented on the new governing council, a reform that’s been led by FIFA.

THE TOP 10

1 Ange Postecoglou (2015 rank: 1)

Socceroos coach

Guiding Australia towards another World Cup, but his influence extends far beyond the pitch. Since daring FFA to be bold and expand, debate has spread like wildfire. The Socceroos boss would also influence most A-League and Australian youth coaches.

2 Tim Cahill (2015: 6)

Socceroos and Melbourne City star

The Peter Pan of Australian soccer whose moments of magic inspire millions of kids. The only Socceroo who transcends, revealed to be fifth most popular Australian athlete while the BRW Young Rich List valued the megastar at $36m. His influence will remain post playing career.

With Fox Sports about to shell out $50 million per year for its A-League contract, station boss Patrick Delany will have a considerable say in the game’s future.

3 Patrick Delany (2015: 3)

Fox Sports chief executive

With a new $50 million per annum A-League deal imminent, Patrick Delany is entrenched as one of the game’s powerbrokers after five years at the helm of Fox Sports, whose money accounts for almost 40 per cent of FFA’s revenue. They also helped fund the Tim Cahill deal.

4 Steven Lowy (2015: 2)

FFA chairman

Thirteen months on from replacing father Frank Lowy as FFA chairman, Steven Lowy has yet to impose himself on the sport. While expansion has almost been forced upon FFA, Lowy Jnr can win back some support by championing this and other inevitabilities like A-League independence.

5 Simon Pearce (2015: 8)

Melbourne City board member

City Football Group’s kingmaker sees enormous potential in the A-League and as a club chief, his influence is beyond anything seen in Australian football before. Forced FFA to overturn Hyundai’s exclusivity, paving the way for Melbourne City’s rich Nissan deal, and bigger moves could be on the horizon.

The men who run the FFA, CEO David Gallop and chairman Steven Lowy, share considerable influence over the sport in Australia. Picture: Getty Images

6 David Gallop (2015: 4)

FFA chief executive

After four years at the helm, the FFA chief executive enters an intriguing phase of his tenure. Heading the A-League expansion strategy and TV negotiations, which could both be points of contention with the game’s key stakeholders.

7 Greg Griffin (2015: NA)

Adelaide United chairman and head of A-League owners’ committee

The vocal United chairman is the ideal foil for Pearce, a battering ram alongside the smooth-talking Englishman with the rest of the A-League owners _ some richer but less hands on _ in toe as they fight for more transparency and say.

Strong opinions with an infectious smile, Mark Bosnich has helped shape the football landscape in his commentary role.

8 Mark Bosnich (2015: 7)

Fox Sports commentator

Fox Sports’ coverage has propelled the A-League into Australia’s consciousness and ‘Bozza’ is their marquee man. Few can galvanise fans, owners and restless natives like the larger-than-life figure, whose buffoonery often defies his intelligence.

9 John Didulica (2015: NA)

Players association (PFA) chief executive

The PFA has returned as an agenda-setter with John Didulica lifting the union to record membership levels in six short months. They have the backing of powerful Socceroos duo Cahill and captain Mile Jedinak and world sports union trailblazer and returning chairman Brendan Schwab.

10 Anthony Di Pietro (2015: NA)

Melbourne Victory chairman

The Premier Fruits Group chief executive is low-profile but when he throws his weight behind something as chairman of the A-League’s most powerful club, FFA listens.

Melbourne Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro just wins. Picture: George Salpigtidis

THE 2015 LIST

1 Ange Postecoglou

2 Steven Lowy

3 Patrick Delany

4 David Gallop

5 Frank Lowy

6 Tim Cahill

7 Mark Bosnich

8 Simon Pearce

9 Moya Dodd

10 Lou Sticca

Melbourne City and Socceroos star Tim Cahill is the only player to make the top 10. Picture: Tim Hunter

IN A NUTSHELL

Ranking	Name	Last year
1	Ange Postecoglou (Socceroos coach)	1
2	Tim Cahill (Melbourne City/Socceroos)	6
3	Patrick Delaney (Fox Sports CEO)	3
4	Steven Lowy (FFA Chairman)	2
5	Simon Pearce (Melbourne City board member)	8
6	David Gallop (FFA CEO)	4
7	Greg Griffin (Head of A-League owners committee)	n/a
8	Mark Bosnich (Fox Sports commentator)	7
9	John Didulica (PFA CEO)	n/a
10	Anthony Di Pietro (Melbourne Victory chairman)	n/a

Originally published as The 10 most influential people in Australian soccer