Former Socceroo Robbie Slater has urged Sydney FC’s new owners to splash the cash and bring big-name marquee players back to the Sydney Football Stadium.
Russian banker David Traktovenko and healthcare mogul Paul Ramsay are set to take control of the club this week from Football Federation Australia chairman Frank Lowy, who is selling his 70 per cent share.
Slater believes Sydney have fallen behind other teams and although interest in the game in the Harbour City remains strong, and TV ratings good, crowds have been down at the Sydney Football Stadium since the halcyon days when Dwight Yorke inspired the Blues to the inaugural A-League title in 2006.
“It has been said from the start that the A-League needs a strong Sydney and Melbourne and if these guys taking over are cashed-up then let’s see some marquee signings, it’s what the public want to see,” Slater said.
“Sydney have led the way in this respect in the past with Yorke, Juninho and to a lesser extent Benito Carbone, and crowds were up throughout the league when these guys did play.
“It would be great to see some more big names come out here and if these new guys are willing to spend then it can only be a good thing.”
Former Sydney FC coach Branko Culina said the new investment will also be a shot in the arm for the A-League.
Culina, who coached the club in a nine-month spell in 2007, said a strong Sydney side is vital for the continued progression of the game in Australia.
“I once said Sydney is the Manchester United of Australian football and what I meant by that is that the expectation and pressure for success is huge,” Culina said.
“When Sydney are doing well, crowds are high and teams raise their games when they come to town.”
Culina also believes the lack of stability both in the coaching dugout and the boardroom have been a problem for his former club and hopes the new owners will lay some firm foundations.
“There has been a number of changes of coaches and board members and some of the decisions the club took especially in terms of recruitment in the first year left a lot to be desired,” he said.
“Some of the decisions made by the club were by non-football people and a lot of these decisions were short-term and this has led to some of their current problems.
“The new investment is much-needed, but it is important that the money is used wisely.
“If the club need to pay $150-200,000 a year to a director of football to oversee scouting and player recruitment then so be it.
“Strong foundations lead to a strong future and hopefully this new investment will help put the club back at the top.”
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