Maxwell will strive to quell infighting
IAN MAXWELL last night pledged to help create unity within Scottish football after being confirmed as the new chief executive of the SFA. The 42-year-old will step down as managing director of Partick Thistle to formally take up his £300,000-a-year Hampden post on May 21. As Sportsmail exclusively revealed back in March, Maxwell was the front-runner to replace Stewart Regan, whose seven-and-a-half-year tenure ended with his resignation in February. The SFA board gathered last Thursday to rubber-stamp their succession plan before the agreement was finalised over the weekend. Maxwell stepped down from the SFA board last month to focus on his application to become the new figurehead of the governing body. His place was taken by SPFL chief executive Neil Doncaster, which is thought to have tipped the balance in favour of the former Queen’s Park, Ross County, St Johnstone, St Mirren and Partick Thistle player being appointed. The developments are being viewed in some
quarters as a power grab by the clubs, with Maxwell’s arrival expected to signal closer ties between the SFA and SPFL after years of distrust between the two organisations.
‘This is a very proud moment for myself and my family,’ said Maxwell of his appointment. ‘Scottish football has been my life, from playing to coaching and on to managing a club. I am hugely excited about the role and facing the big issues that we will need to tackle.
‘The game means so much, to so many in this country. I will work tirelessly to serve all our members, support and lead the Scottish FA’s staff and help bring everyone together to shape a better future for Scottish football.’
After retiring from playing, Maxwell worked as assistant manager to Ian McCall at Thistle before taking on a non-coaching role as general manager of the club. He was promoted to managing director in 2014 and served as a director of both the SPFL and SFA.
His in-tray at Hampden will involve improving relations with the clubs, something which had become increasingly strained during Regan’s time in charge.
The decision to arrange a postseason Scotland tour of Peru and Mexico drew a letter of complaint from Celtic, who were upset at the prospect of their players being dragged across the Atlantic ahead of their Champions League qualifiers. Regan’s failure to line up new sponsorship deals from next season had also left him vulnerable to criticism from within.
‘Ian will bring a huge amount of football knowledge to the role,’ said SFA president Alan McRae. ‘He has built up a terrific reputation and is respected across the game.
‘Ian emerged from a robust recruitment process which attracted interest from a range of candidates. We were convinced that Ian’s track record, communication skills and leadership qualities will allow him to grasp the challenges of today and fulfil our potential as an association and as a footballing nation in the future.’
Maxwell’s selection also drew support from SPFL supremo Doncaster.
‘This is clearly a crucial appointment for the SFA and for Scottish football more widely,’ said Doncaster. ‘Ian combines a superb track record of innovation and delivery as an administrator with a well-earned reputation as a “football man”.’