Off the pitch, the club has announced a change to the management structure. As for matters on it, a discussion has been held with Luis Figo's manager but it is far from certain that the player will be heading Down Under.

In announcing the new structure, Barlow said: "Sydney FC is striving to be the pre-eminent club in this region within the next five years. 

"In order to achieve this ambition, our Board has now put in place a management structure which will ensure we strategically utilise the best resources we can across both the commercial and football aspects of our business.  They are positive changes that are critical to our future success."

Current CEO Stefan Kamasz will assume the new role of Head of Football. He will be responsible for the long term development of the Sydney FC player and coaching base, with particular focus on putting in place structures for the identification and development of youth and ensuring world-class football operations to support the club's ambitions, as well as further enhancing the club's links with the community and grass roots.

In announcing this newly-created position,  Barlow acknowledged the role Stefan has played as CEO since joining the club in March, 2008.

"Stefan has been a tireless contributor to the re-birthing of this club since our recent change in ownership.  With only a small team, he has led both the commercial and football activities in often challenging circumstances," he said. "Freeing him now to purely concentrate on the football development aspect of the business is beneficial for both the club and Stefan. 

"Given his considerable experience, he is the ideal person to set our future in stone with the best footballing structure and resources we can establish.  We also desire to build the best football academy and development structure that will feed the requirements of our Hyundai A-League team for years to come."

There will also be a new face sitting behind the CEO's desk at Moore Park from next month.

"I'm also pleased to announce our new CEO and Head of Commercial will be Edwin Lugt," said Barlow. "Edwin recently relocated to Australia after a six-year spell as the CEO of the Royal Netherlands Football Association First Division Professional League (known as the Jupiler League) and significantly grew the commercial base of that League through improved broadcast, sponsorship and other strategic initiatives. 

"He brings outstanding commercial and football administration skills from an International perspective, and has a long term passion for the game."

Edwin will commence with Sydney FC on October 1.

"We welcome Edwin to the club and expect to continue to develop our commercial partnerships, and longer term revenue base, under his focus. 

"His experience in the Netherlands was with a League of similar scale to the Hyundai A-League, where he significantly progressed its commercial outcomes and revenue streams. He understands the needs, and opportunities, for clubs to develop and extend their commercial base." added Barlow.

As for Figo,the 36-year-old former Barcelona and Real Madrid midfielder retired at the end of the last season after four years with Inter Milan.

But Sydney manager Dave Mason spoke to Figo's representative Rob Jansen, a former minority shareholder in Brisbane Roar, during the close season - and the player is believed to be interested in a spell in Australia

But under A-League rules covering guest players, he would be unable to play in the final game of the regular season or the end-of-season play-off series.

"Obviously someone of that stature is exactly the sort of guest player you'd want, but the timing wasn't right," Mason told the Sydney Morning Herald.

"If he changes his mind and wants to come out sooner rather than later, then we'd definitely consider it.

"Our position on a guest player remains the same - if we can get someone in the attacking third, with the right sort of CV, then we are keen to do it."

Former Japan international Kazu Miura and much-travelled Italian playmaker Benito Carbone have previously played for Sydney as guest players.

Sydney are desperate to rejoin the elite of continental football the Asian Champions League after their first and only appearance in the tournament in 2007.

That year featured memorable games against Japan's Urawa Red Diamonds, ramping up the club's profile in Asia on the back of their 2005 World Club Championship campaign in Japan.

To qualify for the ACL, Sydney will need to win either the A-League grand final or the A-League minor premiership. If successful this season, the earliest Sydney could re-enter the tournament would be 2011.

The restructure  includes Kamasz moving into a Head of Football role - a role similar to that of Melbourne Victory's Gary Cole.

Cole has been a shrewd operator in the transfer market for the Melbourne club, responsible for bringing key signings to the club. This has also allowed coach Ernie Merrick to concentrate on working day-in-day out with his players.

It's a model and a partnership that's been hugely successful with two grand final wins in four seasons reaping two ACL campaigns in 2008 and next year.  If successful in 2010 in Asia, the club will have a jump on Sydney FC in building its brand in the Asian market.

And Sydney FC ambassador Liz Deep-Jones has implored the city's football fans to get behind the club as it strives to regain its place in Asia.

Deep-Jones says the club is starting to attract a groundswell of grass-roots fans which will be vital for the club as it looks to build into the future.

"We recently visited a local school in Maroubra to conduct and the response was overwhelming, you can definitely feel the support and awareness of the Sydney FC brand growing," the former SBS TV presenter and author of the Lucy ZeeZou books told au.fourfourtwo.com.

"It's also exciting to see the new relationships Sydney FC have formed with grass-roots football clubs and schools which essentially gives kids unique access to the players who love interacting with the kids."I'm a born and bred Sydneysider so I'm passionate about Sydney, passionate about football and even more passionate about Sydney FC," she added.

 "It's an honour to be associated with a club striving to be the biggest brand in the country and I think it's achievable because all of the dedicated staff at the club are driven to ensure we reach our goal."