Football in Australia needs a change agent, and Mark Bosnich is the man for the task.
It’s been 10 years now since the inception of the A-League, a circuit-breaker moment the game clearly needed.
After decades of groundwork laid by the pioneering National Soccer League, football was steered in a new direction under the chairmanship of Frank Lowy. One that, while necessary at the time, has now hit a flat spot in the league’s long-range trajectory.
Which is perfect timing, as Lowy will exit the position in the coming months.
But who’s next?
The establishment’s candidate is Steven Lowy, son of the current FFA boss, which has its advantages, no doubt. But what about a different option. A disrupter, a straight shooter, the Donald Trump candidate for FFA chairman.
Mark Bosnich.
The former English Premier League goalkeeper would offer plenty to the position.
He’s played at the top level of the game and understands how important the league structure of European football is to its success. A culture of mega clubs, challengers and small town favourites. The cut and thrust of relegation and promotion.
In the local context, he appreciates the benefits of the new era, while also having a connection, via his Croatian heritage, to the old school who sustained the game for so long and still can.
Combining these two themes, he also seems supportive of a more open playing field. Bosnich has placed the issue of transfer fees for smaller teams on the agenda, which could be one plank of a broader, market-based approach for the game locally.
Football is after all plugged in to a wider world economy. Expecting Australian football to exist in its own vacuum is a short-term strategy that has sufficed for the first decade of the new era, but it won’t do going forward. And the potential is there for something better.
Football needs to tap into its greatest strength – the grassroots.
The FFA Cup has shown us a glimpse of what the future of league football in Australia could look like. But the game needs a change agent to make it happen.
Bosnich may not sound like your obvious candidate, but leaders can come from unlikely places, and that often gives them an insight the establishment options may lack.
Maybe even better, a joint ticket? Bosnich/S. Lowy for 2016!
nordster
Guest
Mmmm its not really an administration position...more big picture ....and who knows if beIN grab the EPL he might need a job;) Anyhoo....the time is now, i didnt realise the meeting on this week when i wrote the article...some timing there lol... Who wants to succeed Lowy as FFA chairman? Michael Cockerill: It's put-up-or-shut-up time in the debate about who should succeed Frank Lowy as chairman of Football Federation Australia. On Tuesday in Sydney, all nine state federation presidents will gather to discuss the candidates, of which Lowy's son, Steven, remains firmly in pole position. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer#ixzz3ixRtSTVf
Slim
Guest
More chance of Gallop taking expansion seriously.
Chris
Guest
Agree you make some good points. Bosnich would certainly add that sparkle and he commands now a decent media presence. But does he want to be in administration as he seems to be doing well in the media.
Slim
Guest
As much chance as Kev Muscat preaching dilplomacy.
Slim
Guest
I'd go a step further, he should run FIFA and Must continue to stay effective with that laugh of his, it's imperative that this stays as part of the armoury.
Ian
Roar Pro
David Warner has just been made Test Vice Captain ..............so anything is possible :-)
nordster
Guest
Well i dont know if anything there rules someone out from being a leader in the game. If anything as a maverick of sorts the Boz can be the perfect Donald-esque outsider leader. True they only need to come along once a generation, but they do happen. The chairman can be more of a director's role with people on the board and admin to do the actual heavy lifting, implementation wise. And is it possible for an article to be part wind up, part serious? Like my posts.... :P
nordster
Guest
nah just me i was too lazy to set up an account ....i took the 'quick publish' option so no byline:(
nordster
Guest
too many zzzzz's ....if we want boring go for lowy junior;)
nordster
Guest
indeed:) and dont know if chairman are 'admins' there middy! Should hope they have admins to do the 'adminning' for em haha...
marcel
Guest
"the Crowd".....is that you on disguise David Lord?
j binnie
Guest
MelbCro - I simply repeat what I said to Fuss. You have an opinion and are entitled to that but you will forgive me for questioning your inherent ability to measure a goalkeepers 'technical gifts". When one consideres the qualifications of the many managers that have watched Schwarzer in his long long career.almost 3 times as long as Bosnich's, at the top level I think you will excuse me when I think they all can't be dummies when it comes to assessing a players ability. No???? Cheers jb
Brick Tamland of the pants party
Guest
Matt Ryan is certainly throwing his hat in the ring in the technically gifted stakes, distribution is world class and far superior to Bosnich, obviously he's no slouch in the shot stopping department either.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Hahahaha, 'rolls eyes'
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Like
MelbCro
Guest
As much as it sickens me, Fuss is right on this one. Bosnich is absolutely the most technically gifted keeper this country has ever produced. Schwarzer can't touch him. You don't seem to understand the difference between technically gifted and player stats.
midfielder
Guest
Brilliant
albatross
Roar Pro
During the mid 90s it was said that, based on media mentions, he was the most famous Australian in the world, eclipsing John Howard even,
j binnie
Guest
Fuzz - As always you are entitled to your opinion and so be it but I would think there are many pundits around who would disagree with you,not to mention the managers of clubs where both players have plied their trade. After all for 2 players born in the same year there is just no comparison to be had when analysing their respective careers, and when one considers the coaches that both have served under in their respective international careers it becomes obvious that many more of the learned gentlemen elected to the Socceroo coaching role did not agree with your opinion. Cheers jb
The Minister
Guest
My bad Mid....realised later it was our mate nordster. Mea culpa!