Football Australia appoints ex-Stan boss Martin Kugeler to end long search for CEO

Football Australia’s eight-month global search for a new chief executive has ended with former Stan boss Martin Kugeler appointed to lead the federation.

Kugeler will step into the role from 16 February and succeed James Johnson who left FA last May after a five-and-a-half-year stint as CEO.

Former Matildas player Heather Garriock has led FA on an interim basis over the past eight months but will now work under Kugeler as deputy chief executive as well as in a newly created role as executive director of football.

“There isn’t a sport in the country that can match the existing domestic and international footprint of football, or the potential for further growth inherent in our game,” Kugeler said in a statement on Thursday.

“I am delighted to be given the opportunity to lead Football Australia as CEO and help us realise our potential, with the clear ambition to drive growth and reach new heights in the sport that we love.”

Kugeler is originally from Germany and moved to Australia in 2009, going on to work for Stan in senior executive roles across a decade.

He has not previously worked in football but says he is a lifelong fan.

Kugeler will be FA’s first foreign-born chief executive and comes to the role at a significant time for the game in Australia and the governing body after it posted an $8.5m loss last year.

There is mounting pressure on FA to make the most of the Women’s Asian Cup on home soil with the Matildas among the favourites in the continental showpiece that begins on 1 March.

A men’s World Cup is also on the horizon this year with the Socceroos set to play in Canada and the United States when the tournament begins in June.

“Football is the largest participation sport in Australia,” Kugeler said. “Our national teams – the Matildas, Socceroos and youth teams – are exceptional, truly global and unite not only the football community but the nation.

“Football has an unmatched passionate community of players, coaches, officials, volunteers and supporters.”

Kugeler was responsible for the launch of Stan Sport and was appointed Stan chief executive in 2021 before leaving the role in January last year.

Stan moved into the football space under Kugeler’s tenure and acquired rights to broadcast Uefa competitions including the Champions League in 2021. The streaming platform added the Premier League to its offering when purchasing the rights from Optus Sport last June.

But Stan’s stable does not include Australian football with Socceroos and Matildas matches, as well as the A-Leagues, available on Paramount until 2028.

“Martin brings a wealth of professional experience across operational excellence, innovation, finance, strategy and global media to Football Australia – this is a rare combination and one that will deliver results for football in Australia,” FA chair, Anter Isaac, said.

Click here to read article