But just what ‘certain things’ the A-League’s clubs will do with their newfound freedom to boost the game remains a work in progress.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, A-League clubs have floated the possibility of exempting international players from the salary cap for future seasons, while Mariners owner Mike Charlesworth told The World Game that the salary cap should be done away with entirely.

During his previous visit to Australia, the former Premier League boss had emphasised more grounded measures such as appropriately sized stadia and the development of home-grown young players that fans of clubs can emotionally connect to.

But on Saturday, he sought to emphasise that not one single action could serve as an elixir for the game’s ailments and, instead, a holistic approach with the quality of the product on the park at its core had to be the main aim.  

“The first focus has to be on putting on the best possible football you can,” Scudamore told the Chairman’s Function.

“That’s not just players; that’s coaches, that’s stadiums, it’s quality of pitches, it’s infrastructure, it’s youth development.

"That’s the most important focus because it’s only when the product is attractive will other people want to engage themselves in it, sponsors will want to engage, viewers want to view, social media want to engage – that’s the absolute focus.

“And then once you’ve got that product in the right place, interest will follow, it’s inevitable.”

“It’s not for me on this platform to offer [an opinion on marquee players]. I know those things are all being discussed around the table.

“All I would say about all these things is that everyone wants to talk about the magic bullet that suddenly transforms everything. Marquee players do or don’t transform everything.

“Remember, the Premier League was going to die the minute David Beckham left Manchester United, but it doesn’t. Because the whole point is the unit of football is the club, it’s the team, it’s the club.

“Directors know they’re custodians of a club for the period they’re custodians of it, but it will last beyond them, way beyond them.

“And that’s the most important thing, fans attach themselves to clubs.

"Marquee players are not a short-term fix to anything in my view, but, of course, it’s very nice to have them. But just because you’ve got them isn’t going to suddenly alter your fortunes overnight.

“I’ve been doing this for 21 years, it’s the same the world over - it’s always challenging but that’s the whole point.

“It’s far better to get yourselves all in the room, get your differences out on the table and find common purpose. I sense an esprit de corps and a focus about getting it right this time.

“Bear with [the clubs] for a few more months until it goes public with exactly what’s happening. [FFA Head of Leagues] Greg O’Rourke is leading them and holding them together.

"A lot of effort’s gone in. Everyone is pulling in that direction because they know they’re on the cusp of something.”