Ex-FIFA high-flier Johnson firming as man to replace Gallop

Former Joey turned FIFA, AFC and now City Football Group high-flier James Johnson has emerged as a leading contender to replace David Gallop as FFA’s chief executive.

Source: Supplied

With Gallop departing in December after seven years at the helm, an extensive field of candidates, including Brendan Schwab, the former PFA chief and current executive director of the World Players Association, have been linked with Australian football’s most pivotal role.

Others in the mix include PFA chief and ex-Melbourne Heart football director John Didulica, Perth Glory CEO Tony Pignata, Victoria state federation boss Peter Filopoulos and ex-South Melbourne director Peter Abraham, a friend and confidante of FFA chairman Chris Nikou.

In Johnson’s case, the steepest hurdle for Melbourne-based head-hunting firm Russell Reynolds, who are leading the FFA's search, might be luring him back from the pointy end of European and global football.

Despite a shifting landscape which has removed oversight of the A-League clubs from the job description, Gallop’s successor will still have plenty on his plate.

Steering Australia’s national teams program and restructuring the FFA budget after the loss of the A-League cash to the clubs will be key, along with harmonising relations with state federations, strengthening ties in Asia.

The remit will also include masterminding Australia’s bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup and spearheading explorations over the proposed launch of a viable national second division.

With his worldwide contacts and acumen for diplomacy, Johnson appears to tick a lot of boxes, especially with FFA looking to award the role - which pays significantly less than the $1.2 million Gallop commanded - to a nailed-on football lover after an era of CEOs imported from other codes.

His football career cut short by injury, Johnson qualified as a lawyer and has straddled the game’s upper echelons as FIFA’s Head of Professional Football where he oversaw the relations with the world’s top clubs, leagues and player unions.

Prior to his six years in Zurich he was the AFC’s director of International Relations and Development.

The goodwill he has fostered in Asia could stand Australia in good stead in a region were relations have at times been strained.

FFA plan to announce an appointment before the end of the year.