Golden Soft Sombrero Moment with Jeff Kennett

Four Diegos Profile:               

Former Premier of Victoria and South Melbourne Soccer Club No.1 ticket holder.

Four Diegos Verdict:              

A strong advocate for an independent commission to run the soccer in Australia.

The Diegos agree but someone should inform Jeff that the words ‘Independent’ and ‘Aussie soccer’ have never been found in the same sentence together.

Some Golden Soft Sombrero Moments with Jeff Kennett…

Kennett on the Labbozzetta ousting…

Diegos: “A week has passed since Chairman of Soccer Australia; the largely unloved Tony Labbozzetta was deposed from his position and replaced by Ian Knop.

The Diegos' spies tell us however, that you had none to small part in how events panned out.

Since the stunning result, how have you found people's reactions?”

Kennett: “Firstly I think my role was overrated.

Without going into the details of that, I am concerned that people are now sitting back saying, ‘Gosh we’ve made these changes. Mr. Labbozzetta has gone, haven’t we done a good job and let’s hope things improve’.

I wish Mr. Knop and Nick Greiner all the very best in their jobs but my concern is that we are not going to make changes sufficiently fast enough without there being an independent commission to administer soccer.

You actually have to pool people with very wide expertise together to do a management job for soccer in the same way a management job has been done for the AFL.

Mr. Knop says that that is not the way he wishes to go. I respect that he has his own priorities and maybe he will succeed. It is not however the method in which I would have wanted to see soccer gain the high ground as quickly as possible.” 

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Diegos: “Last weekend's result brought with it claims of betrayal, the reported existence of a 'Judas' in the camp, late night and early morning phone calls and loyal stakeholders 'doing the dirty' at the eleventh hour.

This sort of behaviour must've conjured up sweet memories for you of your time in State politics.

What specific part did in play in proceedings and did you, in all honesty, lick your chops at having one more chance of indulging in a little backroom politics?”

Kennett: “I think Diegos your collective hearing is going.

I said early on that there is no value dwelling on what happened during the voting except to say that I think my role has been overrated. There was a change. Obviously when someone is defeated there is disappointment and expressions made that are understandable.

It has happened. We’ve got to move on. We’ve got a new chairman. Let’s now make it a win-win for soccer.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on his K-Team…

Diegos: “If you were able to target people to help you sort out the game who would they be?”

Kennett: “There are a number of people who were available to do the job on an independent commission but I can I just say this, I accept there has been a change and I worked for that in terms of the personalities at the top.

I don’t intend continuing on commenting on soccer beyond speaking to you guys.

I do think Mr. Knop has to be given the opportunity to prove up his system. In life people have different points of view. I have one; mine is not necessarily correct. Mr. Knop doesn’t think so. I don’t think his is and he has the opportunity and the authority to prove it up. The last thing soccer needs is to have people sniping from the sidelines.

I wish them well and I’ll be watching with great interest.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on the introduction of an Independent commission…

Diegos: “You've been strong on the introduction of an independent commission to run the game in this country.

New chairman, Ian Knop is not convinced that this is the way to go.

With the way the game is structured in Australia what's need to happen for an Independent Commission to be put in place and does your formal involvement depend on whether this Independent body is forthcoming?”

Kennett: “Well again I think that’s crystal ball gazing and I don’t think I should do that.

It isn’t in. Mr. Knop has ruled it out. Mr. Knop is the chairman; Mr. Greiner is the president and now is the time for Mr. Knop and his board actually does the things that they are talking about and in my opinion do them very quickly.

I’m prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt knowing that none of us are perfect and that my views may not be correct. I suspect at the end of the day a commission will have to be put in place. I hope not because if it does have to be put in place it will mean Mr. Knop has failed and I don’t wish him failure.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on soccer issues…

Diegos: “The Diegos have vivid visions of you wearing your shorts, your shin pads and favourite team shirt and playing the game passionately.

What do you think soccer needs? What sort of changes would you like to see?”

Kennett: “I don’t intend to sit back now and try and second guess what Mr. Knop is on about.

I think he should be allowed to run soccer as he and the board see fit. I hope they are successful. I’m not going to put down an agenda which people can tick and cross.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on his non-existent playing career…

Diegos: “The Diegos are peering into our crystal ball to determine your own involvement in soccer.

We’re you a surly, burly striker or a hacker in defense?”

Kennett: “I was none of those. I’ve never played the game apart from doing a bit of dribbling.

I am interested in soccer as a game in a spectator’s capacity. I’m the No.1 ticket holder at South Melbourne.

I happen to believe any game that Australia is involved in we should aim to be No.1 in the world. With soccer we are a long way from it because of I think in part, the lack of quality organization here in Australia.

My motivation is not because I’m an expert, not because I’ve played but I see this as a management change to achieve the full potential for soccer in this country.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on the ethic issues in Aussie soccer…

Diegos: “The Diegos know that you love your multiculturalism. We know that you love your warm tzatziki on a warm night.

The ethnic issue in soccer, is it an issue in your eyes?”

Kennett: “I have made comments on this in the past.

Ultimately when we play soccer in Australia we should be playing as Australians.

That doesn’t deny people of diverse backgrounds to be involved in supporting AFL or soccer. My view is that ultimately we should be playing as Australians whether it be here or overseas.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on bringing the World Cup to Australia…

Diegos: “In your time as Premier of Victoria, when you spoke of bringing the Soccer World Cup to Melbourne, people said 'Jeff's finally gone mad' - amongst other things.

Do you still believe that was and still is a reality? What would we need to do to get it?”

Kennett: “I think if we had been given the backing and were not told not to proceed by people in the top positions at Soccer Australia, I think we would’ve had a very good chance of winning the bid for 2002 which as we all know has been won by Korea and Japan.

Most of the soccer events are currently locked up until 2014 and 2018 as I understand it so Australia has no chance in the short term of being awarded the World Cup.” 

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on soccer in Victoria…

Diegos: “We know that you were South Melbourne No.1 ticket holder for a number of years - that's were you apparently developed a real taste for pumpkin seeds.

Melbourne now only has two NSL clubs.

In a state dominated by AFL is this the best we can hope for?”

Kennett: “They’ve done a wonderful job with the AFL. It’s a wonderfully administered game. It’s now a national game but it has grown to a level where other sports, if they are properly managed, can chip away at their market.

The AFL has done a very good job and that’s why I believe the AFL model is one that should be replicated for soccer.”

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001

Kennett on his putting celebrations…

Diegos: “The Diegos know that you love your golf nearly as much as you love your soccer.

What we want to know is when you putt a golf ball are you ever tempted to do a goal celebration akin to the sort of stuff you see on television?”

Kennett: “Yes but probably only after the ball has left the putter’s head because usually it skews off line and in very different direction from the whole.

So I just celebrate if and when I hit it. That’s joy enough for me.’

Soft Sombrero Moment August 2001