Miller, 38, is one of Australia’s most respected and versatile young coaches. 

He worked his way up at Fulham FC for a decade before taking over as head coach at A-League club Newcastle Jets in 2015, aged just 33. 

Miller, currently coaching in Victoria’s semi-pro NPL, believes coronavirus’s financial impact will force clubs into a positive change of mindset in the A-League.  

But for that to happen, A-League clubs must apply a “creative" approach to their football departments and recruitment strategy as Australia as a nation works its way back from the crippling COVID economic and health crisis. 

"There’s no doubt the ability to attract high profile foreign players will be a big challenge for [A-League] clubs,” Miller, based in Melbourne, told FTBL. 

Former Fulham staff coach Scott Miller during his time as a head coach in the A-League

“I’m a firm believer that it’s time for more Australian players and coaches to be given the opportunity if they possess the right qualities.

“And chairpersons, boards, and CEOs [in the A-League] will have to start thinking creatively with how they establish their football departments.

“That means, identifying highly skilled coaches with numerous skill sets such as fitness and match analysis and combining roles within the departments,” the former Fulham man says. 

"The greatest positive for me is the opportunity for the young player, the aspiring young coach that I meet every week that have never had the opportunity to work in a full-time environment." 

This is already happening across the A-League as the season is concluded in an NSW hub. 

NPL talents such as Thomas James and Yianni Perkatis (Glory), Patrick Antelmi (Western), and Mickey Neil (Jets) all have signed in the COVID shut down and have their chance to shine in the A-League. 

At the same time, a number of foreign talents have also returned home, such as Panagiotis Kone (Western United), Tim Hoogland (Victory), and Markel Susaeta (City). 

A-League foreign coaches Robbie Fowler (Roar) and Gertjan Verbeek (Adelaide) have also departed Australia. 

Meanwhile, former A-League champions Brisbane Roar announced Aussie former player and academy coach Warren Moon as the club's head coach last week. 

Western Sydney Wanderers announced Aussie JP de Marigny as a full-time head coach at the A-League powerhouse and former AFC Champions League winners. 

Furthermore, A-League rivals Adelaide United and Melbourne Victory have employed interim local coaches to see both clubs through the current A-League season. 

"Will the financial limitation within football departments support the recruitment of local coaches and players? We will have to wait and see,” Miller asked. 

Miller, from Melbourne's Mornington Peninsula, is like many younger coaches in Australia seeking a chance. In his case, in 2006 he traveled to London to further his career.

It paid huge dividends with the young Aussie eventually working for future England manager Roy Hodgson at Fulham, as well as Martin Jol and Mark Hughes. 

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Miller worked his way up in Fulham’s set up from the academy to the first-team fitness coach to a dual role of fitness/assistant coach at a club that was in the English Premier League for nine of those 10 seasons.

Fulham's Aussie later briefly in the Socceroos set up in late 2013 before being the head coach at Newcastle Jets, though he was sacked in 2016 after one season following the club’s change to Chinese owners. 

WATCH Scott Miller with 442 Performance

Miller then became an assistant coach at Aalborg in Denmark in 2016/2017. It’s been an extraordinary 15 years for this young coach, with Fulham’s a key part of his resume. 

"It was always my intention to return to Australia at some point with the knowledge and experience I gained overseas and work at the elite level here in Australia,” says Miller, who keeps a close eye on Fulham's progress back in London as they push for a spot back in the EPL. 

Miller, the former Fulham staff coach, coaching in the A-League with Jets

"I’m here to stay and I want to be a part of a leading Melbourne club.

"What’s important to me at present is working within a driven football department that is pioneering and committed to excellence with a positive culture, whilst really having a strong emphasis on developing young Australian talent for the future,” Miller added. 

To this end, he's also running his own academy (http://www.identitypro.com.au) based in Melbourne where young Victorians are reaping the benefits of his experience in three countries including a decade at Fulham FC. 

Miller added the ability to bridge the gap between NPL and A-League level is crucial. 

"Having a viable and competitive second division will provide not only further opportunity, but it will also create a much more entertaining and engaging product with the threat of relegation and the prospect of promotion for teams throughout Australia."