Opinion
When the Western Sydney Wanderers’ CEO John Tsatsimas announced he will leave the role at the end of the current season, after ten years at the club, it triggered a roller coaster of emotion from fans and the footballing community.
Many were happy to see him go, blaming him for the four seasons of missed finals, while those who actually knew the man were devastated to see such a generous, caring and passionate person depart.
“I wish you nothing but the best! I was privileged enough to work with you for eight short years, years I’ll never forget,” said former Wanderers’ community engagement manager Anthony Siciliano.
“The way you encouraged us all to be better people and be proud of the region we came from will be something I’ll forever cherish.
“[There are] so many great memories, stories and accomplishments that you should be proud of! Again Thank you!”
Arthur Diles is an assistant at the Newcastle Jets, who worked previously at the Wanderers as a NYL head coach and first-team assistant. He was also glowing in his praise.
“[It is] incredible what you have been able to achieve at WSW in such a short space of time,” he said.
“[He is a] true gentleman and football needs more people like you.
“[It] was an absolute pleasure to work under your leadership during my time at the club and I got to see from close the passion, commitment and dedication you put into your work.
“You created a culture which helped all staff blossom and be the best they could be. Enjoy a long overdue rest and enjoy time with your family who have been on this rollercoaster with you.”
Staff at Wanderers headquarters are said to be devastated at the news he left.
Gabriella Cipri, who works in the club’s membership department, admitted she was shattered to see Tsatsimas step down.
“Devastated. [He is] one of the most genuine and nicest people you will ever come across,” she said.
“Someone who has so much passion and cares a lot about this club is going to be missed by everyone at the office.”
Those outside Wanderland also paid tribute, with football agent Lou Sticca praising Tsatsimas’ efforts.
“Congratulations John Tsatsimas on a great career at WSW,” he said.
“For a start-up club to go on and reach the pinnacle of Asian football and then into a new state of the art stadium all under your stewardship is no mean feat. [I] wish you all the best on your next career move.”
There have been many more tributes from former and current club staff, as well as fans who knew him.
Tsatsimas’ care went beyond football, often reaching out to colleagues and employees who were going through tough times personally. He was the first one to reach out and check in.
The time was probably right for change. Every club needs fresh blood and new ideas. Tsatsimas would have known this, despite everyone’s views, he loved the club and always wanted what was best for it.
Running a football club and keeping everyone happy isn’t easy.
Tsatsimas got things rolling at his kitchen table in 2012, using a hotmail account and his mobile. In some ways it was a fitting way for a club from a working-class background to begin.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
His first two years at Wanderland were as general manager/chief operations officer, before he took up the role as CEO in June 2014.
Those first two were vital in building the club to the powerhouse it is today. Despite four seasons of missed finals, the Wanderers still have over 10,000 members for 2021-22. That is the envy of many clubs.
Tsatsimas, along with foundation CEO Lyall Gorman, built the club using the blood, sweat and tears of the local community.
He attended several can forums in Parramatta, Campbelltown, Fairfield, Liverpool, Bankstown and Blacktown to listen to the people.
The club’s colours, name, and home ground were all built from listening to the fans. The player signings and initial coaching appointment were also influenced by the community.
Tony Popovic was the man fans wanted and he was what we got. Three grand finals and an Asian Champions League were delivered.
When Popovic suddenly left in 2017, it was the beginning of the end.
Tsatsimas’ passion and dedication to the club’s cause epitomised why the Wanderers were a success and will be in the years to come. He always wanted a western Sydney flavour to the club.
The facilities built at Rooty Hill were more than bricks and mortar. Along with owner Paul Lederer, Tsatsimas wanted to ensure the club gave western Sydney kids every chance to make it in professional football, without any barriers.
The club’s youth program is free, meaning local kids who play in the club’s NPL junior teams can afford to play. This means the club gets the best. The fruits of this will be seen in the years to come.
Current senior players like Keanu Baccus, Tate Russell, Thomas Aquilina and Daniel Wilmering are products of the club’s NPL youth structure. Baccus won the club best and fairest in 2019-20.
The club also has a Future Wander Women program for girls aged 14-17. It is free and gives local girls access to high quality coaching and potential scouting from the Wanderers.
The club’s powerchair team have also enjoyed success with Tsatsimas ensuring they were very much ingrained as part of the club. The team was included in club events and are well known among fans.
The club’s community engagement is first class. Tsatsimas was insistent when the new facilities were open it would be for the entire western Sydney community.
The club hosts its schools cup finals there, where kids from primary schools around western Sydney can play on top-class pitches. They have hosted the NSW African Cup, the Afghanistani Football Festival and a number of other community events.
Tsatsimas was always front and centre at club forums or members committee meetings. He never shirked questions and always gave answers.
He was quick to explain the club’s plans and would admit when things didn’t work out.
One thing about Tsatsimas that many would probably disagree with was that he always spoke out on behalf of fans.
When the club’s active fans – the RBB – had challenges with the police, Tsatsimas was there trying to find common ground. He would speak to police authorities and try and help them understand football people and active fan culture.
He worked tirelessly to try and get some flexibility for fans. His efforts did pay off with police trouble being a rare event in recent years with fans.
He was also quick to call out fans for breaking the rules, something that he was 100 per cent right in doing. The Wanderers nor FA had the power to tell fans to break the law of the land.
Tsatsimas tried to help fans understand this. He regularly had meetings with the RBB to find a solution.
Trying to keep the fans and police happy is no easy feat. Tsatsimas was charged with the responsibility of managing both, an unenviable task that he confronted as best he could.
Tsatsimas was always at every Wanderers game, mens or womens. He would feel the hurt of a loss more than anyone. He was always quick to say hello and have a chat and lament at a missed chance. He loved the wins as much as anyone.
Now the time has come for a new person at the helm. Hopefully they can have the connections to western Sydney and the passion that Tsatsimas did. It would be a great start.
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