AUCKLAND, New Zealand - Auckland City FC have named Chris Milicich Group Manager for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup in February.
Auckland City FC club president Ivan Vuksich was delighted to appoint an experienced person to a vital operations-based role given the tight turnaround to get everything in place.
"The role is operation and logistics-based and whilst Chris's coaching records speak for themselves this appointment won't require any input from him on that front.
"Chris has vast experience in business, operations and logistics, and sport and I'm pleased to have him on board.
"The FIFA Club World Cup is set for February 1 to 11 in Morocco and so it was crucial we appointed somebody who has intimate knowledge of the environment we are going into and can hit the ground running.
"Chris is that person," he said.
Confirmed
— FIFA.com (@FIFAcom) December 16, 2022
The FIFA Council has announced that Morocco will host the 2022 #ClubWC! pic.twitter.com/y6p0EBYovP
While a FIFA Club World Cup return to Morocco holds obvious sentimentality for Auckland City FC, in practical terms and with late notification and the festive break rushing up, it doesn't leave Auckland City FC with a lot of leeway to prepare a programme.
Despite that, Milicich was happy to take up the opportunity despite the obvious challenges that come with trying to organise an international tour at short notice.
"After going head to head with Auckland City FC for many years as a coach, it's an interesting feeling to now be involved with the club.
"As Ivan said, this role is about pulling together an operational plan, it doesn't affect my coaching role with Takapuna AFC, nor do I have any input on football matters whatsoever.
"The FIFA Club World Cup is the pinnacle event for many clubs and I am excited to add my business expertise to put together this project in such a short period of time."
Executive Director of The Sports Agency for the last seven years, Milicich has previously worked with Harbour Sport as Business Development Manager.
Milicich starts the role with immediate effect.
Ends
TBC 2025
Position | P | W | D | L | F | A | Pts | ||
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1 | BU | 9 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 23 | 16 | 20 | |
2 | AC | 9 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 20 | 10 | 19 | |
3 | WS | 9 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 25 | 16 | 18 | |
4 | NC | 9 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 14 | 17 | |
5 | WP | 9 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 16 | 19 | 13 | |
6 | WO | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 15 | 11 | |
7 | CS | 9 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 18 | 20 | 11 | |
8 | CT | 9 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 16 | 18 | 9 | |
9 | ES | 9 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 8 | 17 | 5 | |
10 | WE | 9 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 28 | 4 |