Sydney FC have named Han Berger as the club’s technical director and given long-serving Sky Blues player Terry McFlynn increased recruitment responsibilities.
Berger served as Football Federation Australia’s technical director from 2009 until after the 2014 World Cup. Since then he has been a Sky Blues board member and actively involved in advising on the structuring of the new academy.
Sydney chairman Scott Barlow said it was critical that someone of Berger’s stature ensured the club’s football philosophy is embedded from the A-League and W-League all the way down to the under-13s.
McFlynn’s role in player welfare will expand to include community engagement and team facilities and equipment.
The 35-year-old, who played more than 200 matches for Sydney over a decade, will also assist Arnold in recruitment and retention, acting as the first point of contact for player agents.
Sydney face a major rebuild in their bid to be competitive next season, following a disappointing 2015/16 campaign in which they failed to make the finals.
The Sky Blues have already let go of 12 players and signed former Melbourne City pair Alex Wilkinson and Michael Zullo.
They’ve also been linked with ex-Socceroos and Leicester City goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer.
Elsewhere, Newcastle Jets have continued their promising off-season recruitment bringing home a second former player inside a week, recruiting Jack Duncan to join the fight for the A-League club’s No.1 goalkeeper spot.
Duncan returns to his first professional club, having secured a release from Danish Superliga outfit Randers FC to sign alongside ex-Sydney FC winger Andrew Hoole.
With in-form Mark Birighitti’s exit to pursue overseas opportunities, the Perth-born 23-year-old will be free to compete with long-serving gloveman Ben Kennedy for the Jets’ starting spot between the posts.
“I feel like I am definitely ready to become the No.1 (goalkeeper) - that’s definitely what I have come here to do,” Duncan said.
Meanwhile, journeyman goalkeeper Liam Reddy will be hoping it’s a case of seventh heaven after signing with Perth Glory for the upcoming A-League season.
Reddy will become the first player to appear for seven different A-League clubs when he makes his Glory debut.
The 34-year-old has been signed on a one-year deal as a replacement for Ante Covic, who has moved back over east to be closer to family.
Reddy is a veteran of 196 A-League matches, having previously played for Newcastle, Sydney, Central Coast, Brisbane Roar, Wellington Phoenix and more recently Western Sydney.
He made just six appearances for the Wanderers last season before being cut.
Reddy will compete with Jordan Thurtell and Nick Feely for the No.1 goalkeeping berth at Glory.
Perth had tried to lure Socceroos goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer, but the 43-year-old appears set to join Sydney FC, or retire.
Reddy’s career hasn’t been without controversy.
In 2012, the then-Sydney FC goalkeeper was sent home after getting drunk on a team flight to Wellington.
Then in October 2015, he was stood down by the Mariners after being issued with a breach of conduct notice for disciplinary reasons.
Two months later, the Mariners terminated his contract.
Reddy was the villain for Perth and the hero for Wellington in the 2009/10 elimination final, saving two penalties in a shoot-out to send the Phoenix through to a home semi-final.
“That was indeed a pulsating and exciting day for me, but that’s ancient history,” Reddy said.
“I’m a Glory boy now and I’m coming over to do Perth and Western Australia proud.”
Glory will start as one of the title favourites, with their talent-laden squad featuring the likes of Rhys Williams, Andy Keogh, Diego Castro, Chris Herd, Adam Taggart and Josh Risdon.
