Two-time Hyundai A-League Championship winning coach Ange Postecoglou was announced as the inaugural coach of the Foxtel A-League All Stars this week.
Following a fan vote that saw over 15,000 votes registered via footballaustralia.com.au, Melbourne Victory’s Postecoglou edged the voting registering 36.8% of votes just beating Western Sydney Wanderers boss Tony Popovic (36.2%) with Central Coast Mariners coach Graham Arnold coming in third position (15.4%).
Fans will also be able to pick the All Stars team by voting at a-leagueallstars.com.au until April 30.
Following the close of voting on 30 April, the All Stars will be selected using the weighting system of 50% fan vote, 20% Expert Panel vote and 20% Player vote via the PFA Team of the Year system.
The remaining 10% voting right goes to Foxtel A-League All Stars Coach Ange Postecoglou, who will in addition have 100 per cent jurisdiction over an additional three players to make up the 18-man squad to face Manchester United on 20 July.
“This is a chance to showcase the Hyundai A-League to the world, taking on one of the biggest clubs in world football,” FFA CEO David Gallop said .
“This is not just a one-off match, it’s the creation of an annual event that celebrates the most popular players and coaches in the Hyundai A-League.
“Even more importantly A-League fans have the opportunity to make their mark on the selection of the team via the All Stars website.
“The Foxtel A-League All Stars is unique in the Australian sporting calendar and will play at a time when the vast majority of our 1.7 million grassroots participants are active.
“With a packed winter sports schedule this match gives our huge grassroots base the chance to celebrate what has been an incredible Hyundai A-League season eight and prepare for what is set to be an even bigger season nine.”
Postecoglou joined in the celebration of the new concept and was honoured to have received the support of the fans.
“It’s an honour to be voted in by the fans and a thrill to be the coach for the first All Stars game,” Postecoglou said .
“It’s a concept that is sure to grow legs and become a mainstay in our football calendar. I think there will be massive interest in this game. After a couple of months without Hyundai A-League football fans can start to get withdrawal symptoms, it’s a great way to cut short the wait for football fans.
“After three seasons coaching in the Hyundai A-League I think people know the type of football I want to play and I’m looking forward to putting together a team with the fans that can do that.”