David Gallop to depart Football Federation Australia

After months of speculation, Football Federation Australia (FFA) Chief Executive David Gallop has confirmed he will leave the role at the end of the year.

The move follows a wave of changes at FFA including last year's change of Chairman from Steven Lowy to Chris Nikou and the upcoming independence of the A-League, owned and run by the clubs.

The latter change is will leave the FFA with a much reduced budget and set of responsibilities - and Gallop as Chief Executive, believed to be on a salary of around $1.5 million a year - will no longer have the same role as before.

Commenting on Gallop's departure, Nikou today advised “David has provided strong and distinguished leadership over a long period and particularly through a difficult last few years for FFA as we have managed the governance and structural changes around the game. Working together for the next six months, we will continue to reposition FFA for ongoing success. While he will be with us for some time yet, David will leave us with our respect and sincerest best wishes for continued success in the next stage of his career.

“The timing of David’s decision is predicated on the recent progress of the New Leagues Working Group with regards to determining the future governance model for the Australia’s Professional Football Leagues and FFA."

Sharing his thoughts, Gallop commented “it has been an honour to lead FFA for the last seven years. Football is the true world game and many Australians from all backgrounds want to see it grow bigger and stronger in the decades to come. From the Caltex Socceroos and the Westfield Matildas to the vast participation base of men, women, boys and girls who love to kick a football there are so many wonderful ways to enjoy the sport.”

“With the NLWG recommendations to bring about fundamental changes to Australia’s professional competitions – the Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and Foxtel Y-League (the Leagues) and FFA, the chief executive’s role as it currently exists will be a very different, narrower role. It makes sense for everyone to have time to openly determine what that new role and new leadership looks like. “

“It has been very satisfying to be part of so many important moments including the introduction of the FFA Cup, winning the AFC Asian Cup, participating in the FIFA Women’s World Cup & FIFA World Cups, securing a record six-year media rights deal with Fox Sports, strengthening the financial aspects of women’s football, adding expansion teams to the Hyundai A-League, and growing the huge participation base of the game.”

“There are challenges given the expectations that are created by the global mirror that is held up to the game in this country’s competitive sporting landscape, but enormous growth opportunities are available if the stakeholders are united.”

“My aim is to ensure there is a seamless transition, with minimal interruption to the good work of the very many people in the Member Federations, the Leagues, the NPL and community clubs who work so hard to deliver on the game’s extensive agenda.”

Joining the FFA from the NRL in 2012, Gallop had become an increasingly unpopular figure among stakeholders, with his large salary a frequent point of criticism.

One of Lowy's last acts as FFA Chairman had been to sign off a new two year deal for Gallop to guarantee his position under the new regime, but the slimming down of the FFA's activities appeared to no longer makes his position viable.

Gallop will leave his role on 31st December.