SOCCEROO star Harry Kewell is considering joining the A-League - but in the boardroom rather than on the pitch.
Kewell has been in discussions about becoming the face of an A-League club in the west of Sydney and has been approached by two consortiums aiming to establish a team for 2010.
It's believed that both consortiums are seeking Kewell's football knowledge rather than direct investment and that he is insisting on control over the club's youth development strategy.
While any playing return to Australia is likely to be years away, it is inconceivable that he would play for anyone other than the mooted team if and when he quits Europe.
The discussions resurrect the prospect of Kewell's involvement in the A-League after the model he and used-car magnate Nick Politis put forward in 2004 was rejected by soccer chiefs.
Kewell and Politis were the driving forces behind the Sydney Blues franchise bid that was dumped by Football Federation Australia in favour of what became Sydney FC.
The winger had detailed plans to launch a Blues Academy underpinning the proposed club, but was left bitter when the idea was dismissed.
"I would love to be involved with an A-League club, especially with youth development, but I have never received a proposal that impressed me," he said in 2006.
"The only time I tried to do something with Nick Politis we were told that it wasn't good enough, by people who have no idea about football - our youth development proves that.
"I haven't seen or heard of anything to get too excited about in the meantime."
Now both consortiums aim to tap into what has long been regarded as the heartland of the game in NSW - and the area that Sydney FC has been criticised for failing to engage.
It seems likely a Kewell-backed franchise would be attractive to Politis, who it's believed still harbours ambitions to invest in the competition despite the rejection of his previous model.
Kewell's potential backing for an A-League club will throw a depth charge into the battle for the sporting hearts and minds of western Sydney that will pitch soccer, rugby league and AFL into battle.
Last night, Kewell's manager Bernie Mandic refused to detail where any talks might have led, saying only: "We have spoken to a number of people over the years and will continue to to do so over years to come.
"Hopefully someone will recognise Harry's formula for the A-League is the only one he will be involved in. To date, they haven't."
