One of Australian football’s youngest and best football directors has announced his departure.
The 34-year-old Bruce Djite, who has been Adelaide United’s director of football for the past two seasons, announced that he will leave the club at the end of the season to take on the exciting role of CEO of the Committee for Adelaide.
In a club-released statement, Djite said:
“Adelaide United always has and will always have a special place in my heart.
“I am proud of the great environment and culture we have rebuilt within the club and it is fantastic to see the club return to putting South Australia and South Australians first, whilst still attracting great interstate and international talent.
“I believe the club is better positioned for growth today than it ever has been and, while there is always further improvement to be made, the re-establishment of the club’s true identity will continue to see it do well on and off the field.“
At the ripe old age of 31 years old, Djite called time on a playing career that saw him score goals in Australia, Turkey and South Korea. He also represented the Socceroos on multiple occasions in different age groups.
Towards the end of his football career, Djite was appointed as the PFA executive member where he played a key role in CBA negotiations. His attitude and work ethic won him many plaudits with his peers and admirers from other sectors.
Being the son of a diplomat and born in Washington, it already seemed pre-written that Djite would move to a successful political career.
With his playing days now firmly behind him, Djite had put away his shorts and shin pads for a more professional look of suits and ties as he embarked on kicking goals in the board room.
The director of football role at Adelaide United had become a hot seat though.
(Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images)
The previous incumbent Ante Kovacevic presided over the football department in a trophy-laden era for the club, winning the A-League championship in 2015-16 and the FFA Cup in 2018 and 2019.
Kovacevic wanted to go home to Victoria and left the club for a role with Western United. United then brought in another home town hero and Socceroos legend, Aurelio Vidmar, as the director of football.
Vidmar quit after just a few months, citing that he struggled to cope with the heavy administration workload of the job. The position then fell into Djite’s lap.
Since taking the role of director of football in June 2019, Djite has widely been credited for drastically improving club culture and youth development pathways.
Following Djite’s appointment, United focused more heavily on producing home-grown local talent and having club legends such as Carl Veart, Ross Aloisi and Eugene Galekovic back at the club in coaching roles.
His best bit of business was bringing Riley McGree back to the club, before selling him onto Charlotte FC for near seven-figure profits.
One of South Australia’s adopted sons, Djite has always been a caring and giving person.
He is an ambassador for multiple charities including All Together Now and the Little Heroes Foundation and has been a crusader for racial equality throughout Australia.
His new role with the Committee for Adelaide will see Djite utilise his skills in leadership, negotiations, strategy, advocacy and business development throughout South Australia. Hopefully this will lead to some new football initiatives for the city.
I’ve known Djite for almost 15 years and have been lucky enough to maintain our friendship from the early days of playing FIFA on the PlayStation in Henley Beach to going to hip hop shows together and all the way to the board room at Adelaide United.
It is a bittersweet moment as I am genuinely thrilled and happy for my friend to be given his new opportunity, but sad that Adelaide United and the Australian football community loses a great young mind.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
im also hearing milusenic is on his way back to adelaide for next season as well
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
Certainly one of the most articulate footballers we've ever produced. Committee for Adelaide is a great move given the nature of the position and his level of experience; a solid stepping stone in what will no doubt be a fruitful career. We are all hoping he moves on to bigger and better things as having true football advocates in positions of influence is good for all of us who love the game.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
its not mickey v, hes having too much with the greece job lol
Franko
Guest
Surely not Valkanis. Vidmar I'd happily take back.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Good Article AA on Bruce, I wish him well & hopes he comes back to football administration soon.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
i agree in relation with D’Arrigo, veart is playing him in the “8” role which is where veart had him when he was with the joeys as assistant coach. Personally i dont think thats his best position, i have always seen him as “6” which is where he got rave reviews. if it wasnt for the injury crisis we wouldnt have signed Juande. Lopez and Juande both play best in central midfield, but lopez has impressed at full back with smiths injury concerns and kittos ball delivery being issues. I would’ve only kept one of the spaniards. as for centreback, the club are still quite upset about jakobsen losing his license and i wouldnt be surprised to see him moved on. In terms of a replacement 2 adelaidians have been targeted; courtney-perkins & koutrombis. koutrombis seems to be wanderers bound unfortunately as we wont compete with there contract offer and courtney-perkins move has hit a bit of a snag as he is getting more playing time with brisbane currently. If we want courtney-perkins, we’ll have to pay a decent price for him i’ve heard nothing in relation to a much needed attacking midfielder Bruces replacement will be an ex player and he will divide our fan base on his appointment…….. how cryptic an answer is that? lol delianov will likely be sold, hes had a couple of offers already. Marrone and Juric could potentially be moved on, however i am aware they are trying to negotiate Jurics price down especially since yengi has been offered a high 6 figure deal to go to europe the club is trying to sign goodwin permanently, but his saudi club are playing hardball with the price. konstandopolous will sign a new contract as well. city is circling several of our youth players, so expect the youth team to be raided again that’s the latest insider news i have for you hahah
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
the pitch was re-laid at the training facility prior to the season commencing. Brucey will be the highest profile casualty of out administrative team, but im pretty sure the strength and conditioning coach wont get his contract renewed at the season review
Franko
Guest
Why are they trying to retain the Spaniards? What problem are they solving? - Maybe the best U23/24 RB in the country in Strain - IMO the best U21 DM in the country, D'Arrigo Go sign a new CB, or playmaker / AM maybe even LB. Any candidates to replace Bruce?
Winter A League is Awesome
Roar Rookie
Its great to hear these sort of stories first hand. Maybe a winter switch would solve the injury issues without needing to build new facilities. Does Adeliade have their own Training Facilities? If not, maybe the Committee should put some funds into it as Adeliade doesnt have NRL and AFL may have their own facilities already.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
He'll do well for the commitee and im greatful that he didnt end up as a pawn in the liberals game for adelaide; he was smart enough to see what they were trying to do. I have no doubt he'll be a politician in the next 10 years, the comitee is just another step closer to that. Recruitment of visa players is the same as most football directors in this country, hit and miss. in Bruces first year in charge maria & opseth both showed signs of quality, they just werent consistent. Yongbin wasnt his signing (even though he was part of the team, that was more of the chairmans influence) so i dont grade him on that. Boland was already at the club and his contract wasnt going to be renewed. His last 2 import signings have been butchered by injuries. Javi Lopez arrived in the country and got injured straight away, then he did his MCL. When fit Lopez looks really good, same can be said for Juande as well. Both players are close to being retained for next season
Franko
Guest
Committee for Adelaide is a huge step back imo. May as well have joined GlamAdelaide. Bruce did some good things, the promotion of youth and recalling the likes of Goodwin. His signing of VISA players appear to be more opportunity based than needs.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
:happy:
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
we would've won the league that season if not for being the club with the most amount of injuries and were extremely lucky in the end to scrape into the 6 (funnily enough eerily similar to this season lol) everyone goes on about wanderers winning the ACL which is an amazing achievement for australian football, but adelaide are the original trail blazers of the ACL We got to the final on a playing budget that was less than half of what wanderers had when they won it. Adelaide still holds the record for the lowest budget of a team to make the ACL final. hopefully brucey can still contribute to south australian football with his new role
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Very nice article Andy. I can recall Djite first making his mark, around the age of 19 or 20, with AU, from day one he was a very dangerous centre-forward. I have a vague memory that he played a key role in AU's remarkable run in that ACL campaign around 2007. He is one of the very few I can recall to move directly from professional footballer to capable administrator, he did it seamlessly. Any time he made a public statement, it was always worth listening to. Very impressive person, all round.
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
He’s been quite overwhelmed with the well wishes over the past 24 hours. Huge blow for the football, especially with how many african australian players are involved in the sport and bruceys work for racial equality. i think that leaves only francis awaritefe now as the only black ex player in an administrative power position in australian football
Para+Ten ISUZU Subway support Australian Football
Roar Rookie
I've always been impressed with Djite and I hope we will see Djite in Football Australia's Headquarters one day with James Johnson. I think together they would make a formable leadership team for Australian Football. He has been a real talent in all spheres of Football. Good luck Bruce.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
Nice write up