CEO turns Knights job down

The Knights could be looking for the fourth chief executive in their short existence, with acting CEO Bob Patterson having declined a permanent deal.

Patterson joined the Knights on a three-month deal at the behest of the Football Federation Australia (FFA) but that contract expired at the end of September.

Although he has been offered the job on a permanent basis, the former New Zealand Soccer (NZS) chief executive has so far declined overtures to continue.

Speculation mounted this week that he had resigned and this gathered momentum when the Sydney Morning Herald reported Patterson had been appointed Sydney FC's football director.

"I have been in discussions with Sydney for a long time but no decision has been made," he said. "I haven't taken up the contract for a permanent position they [the Knights] have offered me.

"I have just re-stated my temporary contract ended at the end of September and I am sitting in the chair until such time as they find a replacement or offer me something which is acceptable.

"I don't know whether you would see that as a resignation. I certainly don't."

Although Patterson would not elaborate on what would persuade him to stay with the Knights, it may be that there are differences with chairman Anthony Lee.

Both NZS and the FFA have said Lee needs to be replaced as chairman for the club to develop but Lee is reluctant to go. He owns 30 per cent of the club, as do Brian Katzen and Maurice Cox, with Sky TV and NZS holding the remaining 10 per cent.

- HERALD ON SUNDAY