Don't expect the latest saviour of professional soccer in New Zealand to mimic the approach of world football's most famous owner, Roman Abramovich.
Millionaire Wellington property developer Terry Serepisos has financed a local consortium that will contest the A-League from next season, prompting Football Federation Australia (FFA) to
grant a three-year licence to New Zealand Soccer (NZS) today.
Serepisos waved a fat cheque book about last week and ultimately saved face for NZS and secured New Zealand a professional team, crucial for the game's development here.
But do not expect Serepisos to follow Abramovich's approach to soccer.
The Russian oil tycoon has bought Chelsea consecutive English Premiership titles but has also had an input into the club's on-pitch operations.
His style has led to conflict with manager Jose Mourhino, with Abramovich even dictating the player roster through his extravagant purchases of some of football's biggest names.
Unlike Britain's richest man, Serepisos will be happy to stand in the background as the fledgling club takes shape.
"I'm going to try and be a professional owner. Step back, put the right people in the right positions and run it like a professional," said Serepisos, who admitted he was not a fanatical follower of the sport.
"I'm not going to be a demanding person. I have a company to run here so I'm going to put the right people in place on the board then step back and let them do their thing."
"As long as we have the right infrastructure on a business level in place starting at the top then it will filter down.
"It's a clean slate. We've brought it into a new city and starting it off fresh. I'm sure Wellington's going to embrace it because there are a hell of a lot footballers here."
He will unveil the board's make-up and management structure of the unnamed team in the coming weeks.
Serepisos maintains a high profile in Wellington, and judging by some of his comments at today's press conference in his well-appointed 14th floor office, is well versed in gaining publicity and adding colour to his operations.
"Most of this is coming from the heart," Serepisos said, explaining his late entry.
"And it's for the children of New Zealand, because I think if the A-League wasn't in place it would be a big loss for the country and a shame for football.
"I've been taking snippets of it (the licence saga) over the past couple of weeks, and I was just at the hair dressing salon getting my haircut, and it eventually turned out to be an expensive cut," he quipped.
- NZPA
