Paul Kelly Quits as Perth Glory CEO

After a successful three-year stint as Perth Glory chief executive Paul Kelly has resigned from his position.

Kelly, appointed in January 2010, will officially end his time at the A-League club on January 2, 2013.

The football administrator said it was a fitting time to allow another individual to steer the club into a new direction.

“It’s three years to the day that I gave (Glory owner) Tony Sage a commitment to assist the game I love,” Kelly said.

“I feel now is the right time to hand the reins over.

“The club was on its knees three years ago but Perth Glory can now look to future with real positivity.

“I’m also satisfied with the exceptional community and development program we developed.”

Chairman and owner Sage said Kelly would still remain involved with Perth in an advisory role.

The Perth chief endured a difficult beginning to his tenure in the role, presiding over a disastrous 2010-11 season that finished with the club doing a major review of all their operations both on and off the field.

During this period, the club unceremoniously sacked former coach Dave Mitchell from a director of football role, while former marquee man Robbie Fowler walked away from a handshake agreement to play the 2011-12 season with the team.

But from that period onwards, Kelly and owner Tony Sage have turned the Glory’s fortunes around, seeing the team make the Hyundai A-League Grand Final last season, where they controversially lost to Brisbane Roar.

The club is also believed to be one of the frontrunners for David Beckham’s signature after his contract finished at LA Galaxy last weekend.

It is has been reported Glory deputy chairman Lui Giuliani will take over from Kelly, with Giuliani having previously performed the role as acting chief executive at the club, prior to Kelly’s arrival.