FFA CEO David Gallop says negotiations are in an advanced stage for a club ranked inside the world top ten to visit Australia and face the Foxtel A-League All Stars in 2015.
Speaking the morning after an impressive All Stars side lost 3-2 to reigning Serie A champions Juventus in Sydney, Gallop said the success of the All Stars concept ensures another blockbuster is on the cards during the next off-season.
“We’re already in heavy planning to make sure there’s another big fixture,” he revealed.
“I can’t exactly announce the team yet, but I can promise it’s a big one.
“A club inside the top ten in the world and it’ll be something fans will be really excited about.”
No doubt this will fuel much speculation about the name of the prospective club and the league they play in.
On Sunday night, the second All Stars game proved much closer than July 2013’s 5-1 loss to Manchester United.
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The Josep Gombau coached All Stars went within a whisker of beating Juventus while showing the world the burgeoning quality on offer in the Hyundai A-League.
“A very successful night for us. Strategically, it is a very important concept that’s been cemented home in its second year,” said Gallop.
“And we could’ve even got a draw and that would’ve been fitting. They would’ve felt rattled by us, which is really pleasing.
“We’re on the up and up and the skill level increases each year.
“Fans can look forward to season 10 of the Hyundai A-League and looking across our ten clubs there’s some real excitement about the skill level, which we showed last night against Juventus.”
And for the All Stars overall and the event itself, Gallop marked it highly.
“Let’s score it an eight out of ten” he said.
As for the coach of the 2015 All Stars and there’s one man who’d love to take charge again.
“For sure,” said Gombau when asked.
The likable Spaniard went within minutes of beating Juventus with an All Star team brought together in just ten days.
