#35 - Anthony Di Pietro, "The Chairman"

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Intro:

This week I’m honoured to bring Anthony Di Pietro, more commonly known as Chairman onto the podcast.

Anthony has been a major shareholder of the Melbourne Victory Football Club since its inception in 2005 and where he served as Chairman for 12 years.

This was a special episode for me, as I got the chance to chat with someone I truly look up to, and who has so much wisdom and gravatas when it comes to leading organisations.

In this episode we look at different ways to lead, brand & image, decision making, the coach appointment process, insights around contracts and much more.

Ok, let’s go

Anthony Di Pietro Bio

Business

• Melbourne Victory Football Club (2006 – 2023)
  • Shareholder
  • Chairman (2011 – 2023)
• Board Member (2006 – 2023)
• A League Mens Champions – 2007, 2009, 2015, 2018
  • Runners Up – 2010, 2017, 2024, 2025
• A League Womens Champions – 2014, 2021, 2022
  • Runners Up – 2013, 2025
• A League Mens Premiers – 2007, 2009, 2014
• A League Womens Premiers - 2019
• FFA Cup Winners – 2015, 2021
  • Runners Up – 2024
• Coach Appointments
  • Ernie Merrick
  • Mehmet Durakovic 
  • Jim Magilton 
  • Ange Postecoglou
  • Kevin Muscat
  • Marco Kurz 
  • Grant Brebner 
  • Steve Kean 
  • Tony Popovich
• Big Name Signings
  • Gui Finkler
  • Besart Berisha
  • Carl Valeri
  • Harry Kewell
  • Fahid Ben Khalfallah
  • Mark Milligan
  • Marco Rojas
  • Keisuke Honda
  • Ola Toivonen
  • Luis Nani
• Hosted Liverpool, Manchester United, Juventus
• Started VIB, Chair of VIB committee – now Australia largest sporting business network (outside of game day), with over 100 member companies.
• Brough with women’s professional program into the club, originally with Football Victoria. 
• Academy program expansion (teams, hubs)
• Australian Professional Leagues (APL)
  • Director (2020 – 2023)
• Premier Fresh Australia (2003 – present)
  • CEO

Board Member

Chapters

• 2:00 Taking over as Chairman of Melbourne Victory Football Club
• 10:00 Being the face of the brand?
• 16:25 Leadership
• 22:40 Hiring & Firing Head Coaches
• 37:45 Relationships between Chairman & Head Coaches
• 40:45 Transfers
• 47:30 Final advice to athletes, parents & coaches
• 50:25 Quick Fire Questions