Sutcliffe throws hat in ring for top HKFA position

The man responsible for the blueprint to pull Hong Kong soccer out of the doldrums - Project Phoenix - is the frontrunner to take over as the new chief executive of the Hong Kong Football Association.

Mark Sutcliffe, who had been involved with the rehabilitative process from the beginning, confirmed he was interested in the position left vacant by Gordon McKie, who resigned a fortnight ago, less than six months after being appointed as the first chief executive.

'I have been contacted via a third party to see if I would be interested in a position at the Hong Kong Football Association. I have confirmed my interest, subject to discussions with the HKFA,' Englishman Sutcliffe told the South China Morning Post from Scotland, where he is holidaying.

'To be absolutely clear, I have not been formally offered the position and as I understand it the HKFA is considering its position, too. I hope to be able to discuss matters with the HKFA in the next few weeks and some decisions will be taken by both parties after that.

'This is a fantastic opportunity but there is a lot for me to consider both personally and professionally.'

HKFA officials refused to comment if Sutcliffe was a frontrunner for the hot seat. But it is believed there is a growing consensus among its board of directors that he is the best person to head the HKFA, especially as he had been involved in the government-funded consultancy study to look into ways to revive the local game.

'I think he is the best available choice, probably the one we should have picked originally,' said an HKFA insider.