Official release from Sydney FC

Sydney FC has made another significant step forward in its three-year plan with the appointment of respected and experienced football administrator Gary Cole to the newly created position of Football Director.

Cole will be responsible for the Sydney FC Football Department, specifically managing the Club's recruitment and retention, high performance, health science, player welfare and football operations.

The former Socceroo, capped 19 times for Australia, will work closely with Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton and the Sky Blues coaching and football staff to enhance the systems and processes that will develop a high performance culture at the club.

"The appointment of Gary Cole as Football Director is another exciting step forward in the delivery of Sydney FC's three year plan," said Sydney FC CEO Dirk Melton. "We went through an exhaustive process to find the person with the right skills and experience for what is a very specific and crucial role at the Club.

"Gary fulfilled all of the criteria that we were looking for. He also has a track record of putting into place and developing a strong football department that, coupled with our existing coaching and football staff, will give Sydney FC a well-structured football department."

Cole joins Sydney FC after he was instrumental in setting up the football department and operations at Hyundai A-League rivals Melbourne Victory from 2005 to 2011, which was widely regarded as the best in Australian football at the time.