His three-year contract was confirmed by Frank Lowy, the chairman of the ASA, who has been given the task of rebuilding the sport’s administration and leading it forward.
The deal has a four-year extension contract built-in.
O'Neill was MD and CEO of Australian Rugby Union Ltd from 1995 to 2004.
Said Lowy: “I have known O'Neill for many years. He has been a successful banker and is well-known for the success he has achieved with rugby union.
"His experience and acknowledged success and profile in both the sporting and corporate sectors is exactly what soccer needs.
"The appointment will also enable me to assume the role I initially envisaged when I agreed to become involved in soccer again, that of non-executive chairman responsible for bringing about the vision I have for the game and guiding overall strategy, rather than being involved in day-to-day
management."
Added O’Neill: “There is undoubtedly a lot of work to do, but I welcome the challenge and see this appointment as a terrific opportunity to use my experience in sport and in business to fulfil both the sporting and commercial potential of soccer in Australia.
“My background has been in banking and rugby, but I see myself first and foremost as a sports administrator and there are few more attractive challenges right now than helping revive soccer's fortunes; it is a unique environment in which to do so."
Lowy said that while the proposed new national league would have a separate board from that governing the ASA he would be chairman of both boards and O'Neill would be managing director of the new league.
Added Lowy: “I have come to the view that the ASA and the new league must develop together in a co-ordinated and consistent way for the first few years to get the structure right and to maximise the commercial benefits.
"Potential sponsors and commercial partners are looking for a clear, consistent strategy for the game at all levels, including the new league, and this structure will deliver that.
"While we have achieved much over the past few months now that a CEO has been appointed work on all fronts will be accelerated, particularly on the introduction of the new national league which will be the top priority."
John O’Neill, the former managing director and CEO of the Australian Rugby Union, has been appointed the new chief of the Australian Soccer Association (ASA).
