FFA CEO AND OTHER CHANGES

The decision to sack Stajcic turned the heat on FFA's board and executive and it has been a tumultuous year at the governing body's Sydney HQ. Head of national performance Luke Casserly and women's football head Emma Highwood have both departed along with CEO David Gallop. Former Australian youth international James Johnson will take over as Gallop's replacement in January after winning the race for the role ahead of Brendan Schwab. Chairman Chris Nikou remains but is heading a much-changed board with Crispin Murray and Kelly Bayer Rosmarin both resigning in October, reportedly over the FFA's handling of a scandal involving Olyroos players in Cambodia. Robyn Fitzroy and Carla Wilshire have been appointed in their stead and a big year in the boardroom looms as Gallop's replacement settles into the role.

INDEPENDENT A-LEAGUE

The future of the A-League amid concerns over flagging spectator numbers and TV ratings is in stark focus after club owners successfully acquired independence from the FFA. It means clubs are now running the competition and have free rein to change the competition in the way they feel will turn around their fortunes. Achieving those aims will be largely dependent on how well clubs put aside their own interests for the common good. Ex-Premier League boss Richard Scudamore has been appointed as an advisor for club owners as the league moves from 10 to 12 teams with the addition of Western United this summer and Macarthur FC next season. Future expansion, TV rights deals, promotion and relegation and the creation of a national second division are all items that have to be dealt with in the next few years.

BADLY BEHAVED OLYROOS

Australia's hopes of qualifying for a first Olympic Games football tournament since 2008 took a hit in October when it was revealed four players - Lachlan Wales, Nathaniel Atkinson, Brandon Wilson and Riley McGree - were under investigation for an off-field incident following a tournament in Cambodia at the end of March. All four have since been banned from January's Asian under-23 championships in Thailand, which double as a qualifier for the Tokyo 2020 Games. Captain McGree will be available to play if Australia do reach the Games having been given a shorter ban than his teammates but Wales, Atkinson and Wilson will all be absent if the Olyroos qualify. None of the four were missed when Australia claimed victory in a four-nation friendly tournament in China in November and coach Graham Arnold will be hoping those still in the squad, including exciting newcomer Al Hassan Toure, can deliver for the Olyroos next month.