In a surprising turn of events, Football Australia chief executive James Johnson has officially announced his resignation, marking the end of a transformative five-and-a-half-year tenure that has seen significant developments in Australian football. Johnson shared the news with Football Australia staff on Thursday, May 8, 2025, and will remain in his position for a transitional period to assist in the search for his successor.
Johnson's departure comes at a critical time, with the Women's Asian Cup set to take place in Australia next March. The board is expected to begin the search for a new chief executive immediately, with former Matilda Heather Garriock stepping in as interim CEO during this transition.
Reflecting on his time at the helm, Johnson stated, "It has been a privilege to lead Football Australia for the past five-and-a-half years, having had the pleasure to work alongside the most talented, committed and dedicated staff, executives and board members. As someone who is immensely passionate about Australian football, this decision has not come easy, but I believe the time is right to step down.”
Johnson's journey began in January 2020 when he succeeded long-time chief executive David Gallop. His appointment came during a tumultuous period for the sport, as just weeks into his role, the COVID-19 pandemic forced him to make the difficult decision to stand down 70 percent of the federation's staff. This challenging start did not deter Johnson, who quickly adapted to the crisis, negotiating new broadcasting rights after the end of Fox Sports' agreement for the A-Leagues and national teams, ultimately securing lucrative deals with Network 10 and Paramount.
Under Johnson's leadership, the formal separation of the A-Leagues took place in 2021, a move that handed over commercial and operational control of the men’s and women’s professional competitions to the newly formed Australian Professional Leagues (APL). However, relations between Football Australia and the APL have been strained, with the latter experiencing significant financial challenges.
Despite these hurdles, Johnson's tenure has been marked by notable achievements for Australia's national teams. The Socceroos reached a record finish at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, having qualified through a tense playoff victory over Peru. Meanwhile, the Matildas made a significant impact as semi-finalists at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which was hosted in Australia, a feat made possible in part due to Johnson's extensive global contacts, particularly at FIFA and within the Asian Football Confederation.
In addition to his work with the national teams, Johnson appointed Tony Popovic as the new Socceroos coach last September, positioning the team on the brink of qualification for the next World Cup after Graham Arnold's departure. Reports indicate that Football Australia has reached an agreement with Joe Montemurro to become the new permanent coach of the Matildas, following the resignation of Tony Gustavsson after the team's unsuccessful campaign for the Paris Olympics.
Johnson's initiatives have not been limited to coaching appointments. He has also spearheaded reforms within the domestic transfer system, aimed at encouraging clubs to focus on youth development and better leverage the global transfer market. Furthermore, he has overseen the establishment of the Australian Championship, a national second-tier competition set to launch later this year.
Financially, Football Australia has thrived under Johnson's leadership, achieving record revenues supported by new corporate partnerships with major brands like the Commonwealth Bank, Subway, and Cadbury. The name of the federation itself has also evolved, transitioning from the Football Federation Australia to simply Football Australia.
As Johnson steps down, he leaves behind a legacy marked by significant progress and ongoing challenges. His successor will face familiar issues, including funding, fragmentation, and the need to unify and harness the untapped potential of football in Australia. Johnson's departure coincides with a period of considerable change at the management level within Football Australia, with reports suggesting an increased involvement of board members in day-to-day operations.
FA chair Anter Isaac remarked on Johnson's contributions, stating, "James has guided Football Australia through extraordinary challenges and leaves a great legacy. We wish him every success for the future." As the organization looks to the future, the search for a new chief executive will be closely watched by fans and stakeholders alike, especially with the Women's Asian Cup approaching.
The upcoming months will be crucial for Football Australia as it navigates this transition and seeks to build on the foundations laid during Johnson's tenure. With the stakes high and the future of the sport in Australia at a pivotal moment, all eyes will be on the board's decision-making process and the direction they choose to take.
