The panel takes in experience across the game including national teams, youth, women’s and men’s football programs.

The core panel will be made up of:

Rae Dower – Junior Matildas Head Coach, former W-League Head Coach, former NTC women’s coach, former national team player, and AFC/FFA Pro Licence coach

Tony Vidmar – Melbourne City assistant coach, former Socceroo with 10 years’ experience in youth development at Adelaide United, junior Australian national teams and Pro Licence coach

John Didulica – Chief Executive, Professional Footballers Australia, former Director of Football Melbourne City, former FFA legal counsel

But Socceroos coach Graham Arnold, Westfield Matildas coach Alen Stajcic, and Asian Football Confederation Technical Director Andy Roxburgh will also chip in with their thoughts as special advisers.

FFA CEO David Gallop said the FFA has spent the recent months meeting stakeholders across the game to get their views on the player development pathway to help identify the right candidate.

“The role of technical director is crucial and getting the right person, with extensive knowledge of the Australian football culture and sports landscape, an ability to unite the football community through a clear vision and leadership skills, is paramount.

“Our next technical director will also have a strong appreciation for the Australian culture. It is important we spend time to get the right person at this critical point in our football development in Australia.”

 FFA Head of Football Development Emma Highwood said she was encouraged by feedback about the future of player development in Australia.

“We have met with a broad cross section of football people including member federation technical directors, A-League and W-League academy staff, former Matildas and Socceroos and youth development experts across the game," she said today.

“We are looking for a strong leader who can harness this passion, pull all parts of the ecosystem together to provide players with the best football environment to ensure our Matildas and Socceroos can compete with the best in the world.”

The panel will meet next week, with an appointment to be made by November.