Melbourne Victory believe their history of success and unmatched drawing power have them well-placed in the battle for Socceroos star Harry Kewell.
The Victory on Tuesday confirmed caretaker coach Mehmet Durakovic will hold the post fulltime for the next two years.
Another former Socceroo, Francis Awaritefe, will fill the newly-created role of football director.
While significant, those appointments could be overshadowed by what looms as the pair’s first player signing.
“It’s the first time we’ve admitted to negotiating with a player. That in itself tells you the significance of a signing like Harry Kewell,” Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro said.
He said no other A-League club could match the benefits Victory offered.
“We are the best club in Australia, clearly,” he said.
“We’ve got passionate supporters, we’re a club that supports our coaching staff and our players to deliver the best possible product.
“We’re very keen to look beyond Australia and … have success in Asia.
“And we think we’re the best possible club that could deliver those things.”
Durakovic, 45, was Victory’s youth coach for the past three years, before beating a field of more than 80 candidates for the top job.
He said signing Kewell would be a great way to start.
“It would be wonderful to have him on the pitch week in, week out,” he said.
“The experience that he would bring to the youngsters, to show them what he’s done and teach these guys. What he has done overseas is absolutely phenomenal.”
Di Pietro said Durakovic’s interim stint during this year’s failed Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign, was a big factor in his appointment.
He delivered a notable form upswing after foundation coach Ernie Merrick, who led the club to two A-League championships, was sacked in March, following a disastrous ACL opener.
There is speculation Durakovic might just be warming the seat for Kevin Muscat, the long-time Victory skipper who is now his assistant.
But Durakovic, whose ambitions stretch beyond his initial two-year term, had no problems working with an obvious potential successor.
“I’ve known Kevin all my life, for the past 25 years in football, and he’s been a professional and we are great mates,” Durakovic said.
“His experience counts for a lot.”
Former striker and media analyst Awaritefe has been charged with improving Victory’s talent identification and development programs, as well as managing the football department, a task Robbie Slater believes is beyond him.
“I can’t see where the experience of Francis Awaritefe, what that’s going to bring to Melbourne Victory. I find that an absolutely incredible appointment, I can’t believe it,” the former Socceroo and current Fox Sports commentator said.
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