Crook stood down from the Sydney FC hotseat earlier this season after a disastrous start to the campaign and under huge pressure with the signing of marquee star Alessandro Del Piero.

Today FNSW revealed Crook's new role and the former Norwich City and Spurs hero said he was delighted to be back in action.

As well as co-ordinating with the coaches and technical directors of the senior sides, he will also assist clubs with both their Youth Development plans and overall technical direction.

“I am very grateful to have been given this opportunity by Football NSW to help engage with up and coming coaches and technical directors to further enhance their abilities to help promote the sport.

“Football is an ever growing sport with a healthy participation rate; the same can be said in regards to the number of up and coming coaches as well who are joining our ranks and are overseeing the development of our future players.”

After 400 games with Norwich and Spurs, Crook's latter years also saw him play in Japan for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and here in Australia for Northern Spirit.

Since his retirement as a player, Crook was assistant to Pierre Littbarski as Sydney FC won the inaugural Hyundai A-League, before joining Littbarski at Avispa Fukuoka the next season.

Stints at Newcastle Jets and Norwich City were followed by a role at the NSWIS, before returning to Sydney as Vitezslav Lavicka's assistant before his doomed spell as Head Coach after Lavicka left and Graham Arnold turned down a move to the Sky Blues.

A FNSW spokesman added: "Ian's vast knowledge and broad expertise will be a fantastic resource to our clubs and Football NSW wishes him a warm welcome in his new role."