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Ivory CoastA-League Boss Steve Rosich Rules Out Quick Melbourne Expansion
A-League chief executive Steve Rosich says the league is focused on stabilizing current clubs rather than rushing to replace Western United.
No Rush to Replace Western United
The A-League is in no hurry to find a replacement for Western United in the Melbourne market. Chief executive Steve Rosich has made it clear that the league's main priority right now is to stabilize its existing clubs.
The competition launched its 2026-27 season in Sydney on Wednesday. This marks the second season since Western United went into hibernation, and the first since the club formally ended its licence in August. United was the first former champion in the league's history to fold.
Rosich said that while there is strong interest from outside parties to join the league, any future growth will be carefully planned. He explained that the league will consider expansion in the right markets with the right partners, but does not feel rushed.
The Battle for Melbourne
With Western United gone, Melbourne is left with only two clubs, Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City. Both teams play out of AAMI Park in the city centre. This comes at a time when Melbourne is projected to become Australia's most populated metropolitan area, with major growth in its west and southeast.
South Melbourne has openly expressed a desire to fill the vacancy. The club is scheduled to play Victory in a sold-out Australia Cup final next Saturday.
Rosich confirmed that multiple parties have reached out. He said the league will work through these offers over time, but reiterated that the current focus is on supporting the franchises already in place.
Off-Field Challenges
The league is also dealing with other off-field matters. Questions have been raised about the potential impact of Manchester City's guilty verdict on the Australian competition. Melbourne City is owned by the City Football Group, and Manchester City board member Simon Pearce serves as Melbourne City's vice-chairman and sits on the board of the Australian Professional Leagues.
At the same time, the league is starting its new season without a collective bargaining agreement. There is also a possibility of strike action from referees if they do not reach an agreement with Football Australia.
Rosich remains confident that both disputes will be resolved quickly. He stated that a lot of work has been done to stabilize the league and that he expects growth in crowds and television viewership.
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