THE slow rebuilding of Sydney FC has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of Melbourne Victory's former operations chief Gary Cole as football director.

Official confirmation could come as early as today, with The Daily Telegraph having learnt that Cole signed a contract with Sydney at the weekend to become a hugely influential figure at the club.



The former Socceroo will have responsibility for every footballing aspect of the club outside of coaching the players, with a remit that includes scouting for players, managing the careers and lives of the squad and overseeing the sports science department.



His appointment is likely to prove controversial with some elements of The Cove given his position at Victory, yoked together with coach Ernie Merrick in a partnership that delivered A-League premiership-championship doubles in 2007 and 2009 and a grand final last year.



But after Cole was sacked by Victory in April - as part of a purge by a new board that also swept aside Merrick and assistant coach Aaron Healey - he was quickly recommended to Sydney by a number of senior figures in the game.



It is a key appointment for Sydney, whose recruitment and retention has never been based on any long-term strategy. Although Sydney CEO Dirk Melton was determined to filter through all available candidates, Cole emerged from the process late last week. Overlooked candidates include Kimon Taliadores and David Mitchell, with Lawrie McKinna having withdrawn to take a position in China.



Cole will leap straight into the deep end, with a number of key decisions imminent for the Sky Blues. Seven current players - Bruno Cazarine, Juho Makela, Karol Kisel, Pascal Bosschaart, Michael Beauchamp, Scott Jamieson and Shannon Cole - are coming off contract at the end of this season, and decisions have to be made on their future to allow for planning towards next season.



All players at other clubs in a similar situation, including those on Sydney's wishlist, have been permitted to negotiate with other clubs since mid-November.



Head coach Vitezslav Lavicka is similarly only contracted until the end of this season, and the question of whether he will be in charge next season has been raised by players who Sydney have been interested in signing.



Cole will not be responsible for the head coach, but will report to Melton and is likely to be asked for recommendations on the coaching staff.



Meanwhile, a red-faced Shannon Cole has accepted a club fine under Sydney's "no diving" policy.



Having fallen under minimal contact from Gold Coast midfielder Peter Jungschlager at the end of Sunday's 0-0 draw, Cole received an internal reprimand.



"I was expecting to be fouled when he came across but after going to the ground I realised straight away he had not fouled me," he said.

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Originally published as Cole's hot new role at Sydney FC