Sydney FC Chief Executive Officer Danny Townsend is to transition into the role of Australian Professional Leagues CEO on a full-time basis next year.
The Sky Blues CEO who joined the club in October 2017 will continue with Sydney FC over the coming months and transition to APL once a full handover to the incoming Sydney FC Chief Executive is complete.
Townsend has played a key role in Sydney FC’s most successful period, with the club having won 11 trophies across A-League Men, Women, Youth and E-League competitions. The Sky Blues have also appeared in eight of the last ten Mens and Womens Grand Finals.
Under Townsend’s leadership the club has also performed well from a commercial perspective despite the many challenges of a global pandemic.
Sydney FC Chairman Scott Barlow said: “I would like to thank Danny for the exceptional contribution he has made to our club over the last four years.
“His leadership, professionalism, dedication and passion have been central to our club’s success both on and off the field.
“I am very pleased that Danny will remain within the A-Leagues. I wish him all the very best as he transitions to his new role over the coming months and look forward to continuing to work closely with him to deliver on Australian football’s great potential.”
Townsend will continue with Sydney FC for a number of months as the Sky Blues prepare to return home to their new stadium and commence construction of Sky Park, the club’s Centre of Excellence.
“I still have a number of key projects I am looking forward to seeing through over the coming months and working in transition with a new Chief Executive,” he said.
“My role as APL CEO will enable me to put all of my efforts into ensuring Sydney FC and every A-League club reaches their full potential.
“Sydney FC is in an exceptionally strong position with an exciting future and two world class facilities, Sky Park and the new Sydney Football Stadium, less than 12 months away.
“Led by Scott Barlow and our Board of Directors, Sydney FC is equipped with some of the best administrators in Australian sport and we have football departments which are second to none in Australasia.
“I have no doubt the club will continue to flourish both on and off the field.”
The recruitment of the next Sydney FC CEO is already underway with a number of candidates having already commenced the interview process.
Sydney FC have appointed global executive search firm SRI Executive to lead this process and the aim is to announce the appointment in the early months of next year.
