Football Australia CEO James Johnson announced in the wake of a significant setback in losing to Japan in World Cup qualifying that a ‘disruptor’ would be hired as the governing body’s first-ever chief football officer.
Names like Marcelo Bielsa and Arsene Wenger were (wildly) thrown around to take this role to shake up Australian football.
When Fairfax media outlets broke the news this role would be given to Ernie Merrick, even after he applied late on in the recruitment process, some Aussie football fans scratched their heads.
Perhaps hoping a big name in football would take this role was wishful, but Merrick has been successful in the current system in both A-League and NSL eras as a coach, so what motivation does he have to change the current system? These questions will be answered shortly, and I think it will be for the better.
It’s no secret that Merrick has been a successful coach.
His championship runs for Victory in the early days of the A-Leagues are happy memories of the 2000s. The 6-0 bashing of Adelaide United in 2007 highlighted his successful run and subsequent stints at both Wellington and Newcastle have seen him become a household name amongst A-League Men fans.
However, he’s never been a disruptor, just a solid coach at all levels in an obviously broken system. The ‘disruptor’ title has since become meaningless as when asked about the new role he rescinded the title.
Some fans may have anguished that one of the most important roles created by the FA in recent years had immediately lost meaning and value.
(Photo by Nigel Owen/Action Plus via Getty Images)
However, for anyone involved in business, these additions and the titles that are attached to certain positions often become meaningless from the outset.
If Merrick were to simply serve as a custodian as Football Australia implements the second division, as well as the transfer system promised pre-Covid, and advised the state federations along with the national stakeholders on the best paths to success, I believe that alone would leave a successful legacy.
This statement doesn’t undermine the incredible restructuring required to both make football cheaper to play and pathways more accessible, but to emphasise how these two seemingly simple initiatives could improve upon a dying sport.
Ernie’s expertise in youth coaching is also something that should settle invested fans nerves. In both the A-Leagues and several roles overseas in Asia, he has sought to develop youth football.
His 12-year stint at the Victorian Institute of Sport is proof of experience and commitment to youth football in both thew women’s and men’s game.
Many seem to forget that he was appointed the Matildas coach, however he never coached a game – leaving the role shortly after being appointed.
Football Australia seem to believe his wealth of experience could have a positive effect on the domestic game, so as fans we must trust in him just as James Johnson seems to.
Whilst we as fans of the game have a relationship with the FA that can only be described as toxic, we must not be short-sighted.
Johnson has not let us down since being appointed CEO of the round-ball game in Oz. The fact that the gears are still moving after the rusting effect the David Gallop reign had on the game is evidence of this.
So, in good faith, I wish Ernie the best of luck in his role.
The first-ever chief football officer certainly has plenty to do.
Kewell
Roar Rookie
At work. I agree, it would be less of an embarrassment if football was there. I am surprised that the Former commonwealth African countries have not pushed for its inclusion. Being cynical I would guess that the Australian officials are strong NRL and AFL types and would block any move in this respect.
Punter
Roar Rookie
But this is the media saying all this trying to pump up our national pride to pretend we are the US in the Olympics. I don't see it that way, I see it as competition at a level that we don't get much to allow us the gain experience to than move onto the bigger World championships or Olympics. Imagine getting to play England in football every 4 years that would be good.
At work
Roar Rookie
I'm not saying two things, first and foremost I think the Comm games are a farce and should be retired as a concept. The medal tally tells us everything we need to know, that it's a competition between 3-4 nations, but billed as being something larger. People on here joke about out other sports not being true global games and can't compare to football, well the Comm games is exactly the same. It'd be like hosting a world cup where only 3-4 nations could win it, boring... But, if they're to stay then it wouldn't be so bad if football was somehow involved.
Punter
Roar Rookie
So one minute you want it included, but at the same time you are saying it's an embarrassment!!! I don't understand. Who looks at the medal tally at Comm games anyway, apart from yeah we beat the English. Other sports, just like football uses the Comm games for extra competition. I'm a swimming and Athletics fan too, when I see us winning gold medals in Comm games, I don't think, wow best in the world, I see great experience & development for Olympics.
At work
Roar Rookie
Absolutely, the Comm games are an embarrassment - Just look at the medal tally. This is my view from a general sports perspective, but if taking a selfish football only view then it'd be nice if it was included for extra competitive matches to participate in.
Punter
Roar Rookie
Please explain!!!! We complain in this country about the lack of competition we have for our athletes? We complain too much focus on backyard sports that are huge in this part of the world. Now we complain about the Comm games?
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Agreed in most respects, but look at the performance of the English squad as a result of that 60 percent. This country signed a collaborative MOU with Germany. Their league has a sprinkling of foreigner players and a majority of Germans. That’s what we need to replicate. The greatest change is never achieved by taking the easy path. With repeated WC qualification and continued youth development that results in Australians being bought by foreign clubs, that is the result we’re after. The foreign players will come because of that.
Remote
Guest
Just as an aside the EPL is only 30 years old. It is not an extension of the old first division and wouldn’t be the global phenomena it is today if it was. I say this not to be pedantic but to point out that are many variables and certain paths taken that made it the league it is. The old first division mainly comprised of players from the UK and Ireland the EPL is comprised of about 60% foreigners. The quality of those foreigners ensures worldwide attention. IMO the APL should note that and work towards making the A-League a magnet for the top Asian players. Big money will never be forthcoming from this country for football but just offshore if the A-League works towards becoming a “Top Asian League” are some heavy lifters who may invest in it. Agree with most the rest of your thoughts though.
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
150 nations……struth Franko, who needs qualifiers, just get em’ all in one place at one tme and let go head to head till they drop…….Gold mate, absolute gold. :laughing:
Football is Life
Roar Rookie
Decent article, but I have to ask, where is this idea of a “dying sport” coming from? To me it reeks of a lack of strategic thinking. As I said this morning on the other thread, my 14 year old nephew wants nothing more than Archie Goodwin’s moniker on his Jets shirt. Him, his mates and elebenty billion other kids out there are rusted on A-League fans, but they’re kids so we dont hear from them because they not adults. Grem backed up by saying something along the lines of what about the numbers playing the game, and what about the fact that we have a Women’s World Cup next year that is predicted to equal the attendance of the Men’s World Cup in Russia. What about the excellent showing of our U23s in the Asian Cup, what about the signings in the A-League this season. The game is not freakin’ dying, it’s just the damned opposite, and the first shot of adrenaline will be with the 2nd Div next year, thus bringing cultural club support back into the fold. As for Merrick, firstly, if it were a dying sport, do you think Merrick would have taken the job. The man is not going to invest time, energy and knowledge into something that is dying! Secondly if ever there was a man who can facilitate the impetus for change, it’s Ernie. The man has some Ferguson like qualities, and it’s a good bet there will be change. When you combine Merrick with the current purple patch that football is in, the number of kids playing the game and the fact that next year we are going to have a small mountain of cash in the bank after the Women’s World Cup, we are about to shift gears from 2nd to 3rd. In my opening statement, I mentioned strategic thinking, so what I am asking for is dispensing with the want it now, miracle overnight development of the league. That ain’t going happen. This league is 17 years old, the EPL for example is well over 100 years old. Can we please show some patience, apply some valuable contribution by going to games and start thinking strategically, long term, development and growth. We have the right people in the right positions, it’s now that we shift it up a gear.
Midfielder
Roar Guru
He is an interesting character.... his success will largely depend on what he plans to tackle... and then implanting change...
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Is NSW in the FA's back pocket or is the FA in NSW's back pocket?
TheSecretScout
Roar Guru
the scrapping of federations will never happen, they cant even get all the federations to agree to simple things lol its well known that NSW has been in the back pocket of the FA for many years, every major decision goes though them first before it gets filtered down to other state federations
At work
Roar Rookie
Quite the contrary, we should all be lobbying to shut down for good the farce that is the Commonwealth Games (and this isn't because of some republic dream) :laughing: :laughing:
At work
Roar Rookie
I think Ernie will be a success in this role. He knows Australian football extremely well, compared to some of the other senior and experiences names mentioned. What I'd love him to do, which I highly doubt will happen, is to scrap the state based federations and have a single FA that runs football around the country. It makes no sense the amount of money and governance which is required for each federation in this country, talk about adding unecessary costs to grassroots football.
Roberto Bettega
Roar Rookie
Am I the only football fan whose eyes glaze over every time someone whips out that now hackneyed management term: disruptor? Another thought: how much disruption can Australian football take? Is not our whole history littered with one disruption after antoher? The last point: let's not pretend that a 69 year old who, let's face it, always coached run-of-the-mill counterattacking football, can all of a sudden playe the role of a modern business "disruptor". And if he succeeds in causing disruption, will that necessarily be good disruption?
Hoolifan
Guest
Interesting the Ernie Merrick appointment. Unfortunately he will go the way of all his illustrious predecessors. The core problem we have is the pay as you go model of academies versus having a merit based system. Qualification to the world cup has papered over this crack and the NPL 'parasitic' model of bleeding parents dry will continue unabated.
Franko
Guest
I think FIFA are the blocker here. They don't want the Youth World Cups etc. diluted by the Commonwealth Games. Ironic when you consider the 150 team upcoming world cup in North America.
Kewell
Roar Rookie
One way to improve our youth is more international competition. Why is there no football at the Commonwealth Games. We have Netball, Hockey even Rugby yet the most popular of sports is not included. It’s time for the FFA to start lobbying for its inclusion, because it should be there, even at U23 level.
Franko
Guest
Good article, he's a solid appointment just don't call him a disruptor. Very much the Eddie Thomson of our time.