very popular former co-host who is now on a major commercial network

So if all this is true and correct why are all the fox sports people fawning over him and more importantly how has he still got a job in football?

Wow.

A quick google and it’s evident and reported about the altercation with the boyfriend so where there’s smoke...

As this was a couple of years ago, for those who want a bit of a refresher on the USB story. This is the article from May 14 2017.

Seven star Mel McLaughlin target of stalker: Police probe series of threats and apartment break-in

A USB stick left behind at a fast food outlet contains hours of unauthorised surveillance footage of TV sportscaster Mel McLaughlin, sparking an investigation into a celebrity stalker.

The misplaced USB stick was handed to staff at a McDonald’s in Mascot in March. The manager passed it on to police, who were already investigating a string of threats recorded on a Seven Network phone used by McLaughlin.

The chance discovery of the USB stick led to police ­officers stepping up their ­investigation into “dozens” of reported threats and a break-in at McLaughlin’s north shore apartment.

Police have interviewed a man in relation to the threats though McLaughlin, 37, has requested the investigation not proceed further.

Seven Network Sydney news director Jason Morrison yesterday confirmed the network had been in contact with police.

“Police have been involved in investigating a series of threats and serious incidents,” he said.

“I am aware that police have spoken to a suspect several times and warned him. ­Despite that warning, the problem has continued.”

Television insiders claim the man threatened “to ­destroy” McLaughlin if she obtained an AVO.

Morrison said: “Police have been great in helping Mel with security and are taking this very seriously. The next step is to take out restraining orders to further protect her from the man.”

The man allegedly hired a private investigator to follow McLaughlin and capture 18 hours of footage of the presenter in casual domestic and professional situations.

The footage, discovered on the USB, includes vision of the oblivious TV identity walking with a colleague in a city mall, attending the cinema with children, driving in traffic and visiting relatives.

Some of the footage is believed to have been shot through the glass walls of Seven’s Martin Place newsroom and in Seven’s car park.

A Seven Network source said McLaughlin had told colleagues the alleged stalker was a former associate.

McLaughlin’s colleagues fear the man may be obsessed with her and jealous she has begun a new relationship.

The new man in McLaughlin’s life is retired British soccer player Ashley Westwood, 40, who had a career playing for third-tier English football division clubs including Crewe Alexandra and Bradford City until 2012.

He moved on to coaching duties in India and it was while working in that ­capacity in late 2015 that Westwood met McLaughlin, who was working briefly as a soccer commentator at Star TV and living at the same Mumbai hotel as Westwood and his then pregnant wife Huma.

Westwood, who has been unemployed since March when his contract as head coach of Malaysian Super League team Penang was cancelled by mutual consent, has five children by three women.

According to friends of the Westwoods, wife Huma, a juvenile probations officer in Northampton, recently filed for divorce.

Westwood yesterday denied his relationship with McLaughlin began while his wife was pregnant. “I have been separated from my second wife since early 2016 and we are going through divorce proceedings,” he said.

“I started seeing Mel last year after the breakdown of my marriage. We’re very happy.”

Sources say police believe some of the “dozens” of telephone threats made to a Seven mobile in McLaughlin’s possession may have been intended for Westwood.

Rattled by a break-in at her apartment earlier this year, McLaughlin has since moved out of her home. She did not wish to comment when contacted yesterday.

News of the stalking investigation comes days after an unrelated incident in which the TV host was publicly insulted at a Sydney bar as tempers flared during A-League grand final celebrations last ­Sunday.

Westwood and local soccer commentator and retired Sydney FC player Mark Rudan clashed heatedly outside Frankie’s Pizza Bar on Hunter St in the early hours after the match.

Fox Sports commentator Rudan was allegedly assaulted by an unnamed 18-year-old as he and a group arrived at the bar at the same time McLaughlin and her boyfriend were leaving.

Witnesses have said the two men started exchanging angry ­insults — Rudan allegedly shouting crude abuse at McLaughlin — before bouncers stepped in and police arrived, ­although officers did not take statements.

The argument between Westwood and Rudan had begun earlier in the evening at The Clock Hotel in Surry Hills where 41-year-old Rudan had been drinking with Fox Sports colleagues.

While McLaughlin, a Fox Sports presenter from 2007 to 2013, remained downstairs, Westwood went upstairs and had an argument with Rudan, angrily demanding he “take a walk outside” with him, which Rudan declined to do.

Rudan, who is married to childhood sweetheart Sylvia, with whom he has children, refused to comment about the altercations.

Well, this should activare another three years of coaching WU, core values being the primary reason!

Staff exodus allegedly continuing as Hutchison follows Anastasiadis out the door, returning to Seattle: https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/rudan-s-assistant-hutchinson-set-to-leave-western-united-for-seattle-20191227-p53n70.html

Any news yet on when they’re going to start the process to ask for planning permission for the stadium?

This isn’t surprising, the assistants were appointed but the club and not Rudan so aren’t part of his team. He is probably happy they are leaving and can now appoint his own people.

After he was announced as WU coach, Rudan admitted he was involved in all the clubs selections Fromm day 1. He would not lie 😂😂😂

What did anyone expect? 

USB! 

Nope, he said he was kept in the loop for player selection, nothing about selecting coaches. 

Rudan’s appointment was rumoured for months, and the 43-year-old confirmed he was kept in the loop of club movements and signings while managing the Phoenix.

“Was I asked, in terms of the players? Yes I was,” he said. “No different to when other coaches ask for my opinion on players that I coach ... it’s part of the job.”

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/23/new-a-league-club-western-united-confirm-mark-rudan-as-inaugural-coach

Diamanti donating his match jersey, shorts and captains armband for auction with funs to go to bushfire victims.
The bloke just seems like a quality human being.

Gave a good interview, his English has come along well.

Yes, a great captain and embassedor for this new club. Must be there next year or what values are WU portraying as a club?

He sounds like the kind of guy that would stick around... whether the club has those same values is another thing. 

Never was a fan of Rudan. I feel his manner and strategies often resemble an era of bygone football managers. Hearing the player stories and apparent clashes do not surprise me. 

He said this subsequently "Speaking to Steve, he sold me on his vision and then it was a matter of finding your coaching staff and administrators. [...] As a football coach who was part of the process of interviewing every staff member, it was very time consuming."

https://theworldgame.sbs.com.au/lucy-zelic-in-conversation-with-marko-rudan

Soz, but staff is not coaches and both his assistants were appointed before him. Below is more illustrative.

https://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/football/a-league/112900546/former-wellington-phoenix-coach-mark-rudan-officially-unveiled-at-western-united

"At the start, the club announced two assistant coaches, two fantastic coaches, more than competent to lead this team," Rudan said, referring to John Anastasiadis and John Hutchinson.

"They're both head coaches in their own right and they led the process but, in terms of the timing, was I asked? In terms of the players?

"Yes I was. No different to when other coaches ask for my opinion on players that I coach.

"So, it was very, very clear at the start that I hadn't signed anything and understood that the club was going through their own process of trying to find a new coach. 

"I was just one of those,

Of course coaches are staff. If you re-read the above quote he clearly said "Coaching Staff and Administrators" also, it's pretty clear he was economical with the truth when he was leaving the Phoenix and that he'd signed on months before he actually said he did.

Apparently Lou Sticca has left the football department. He has also removed from his twitter bio https://twitter.com/aleaguehub/status/1213263012477337601?s=21

As divisive as he is, its still alarming key founders are leaving less than 12 months into full time operations

These karnts will be gone in 3 years. 

Agree . He was arrogant and downright rude when people questioned him about wu plans for their stadium. Something is off down there

Which annoys me because we will bid for the license again which will be a huge distraction.

They ain't going anywhere, or they will want a refund LEGALLY from the millions paid. Must get over it, this inclusion. They will have a homeground in a couple of years, or whenever they do. Embrace black and green.

Originally they were going to be homeless for only two seasons, then three, well, it's looking like it will be longer than three.

They are not my team, not even from Vic. Regardless of their homeground, they are team no. 11 and Macarthur will be team no.12. If there are any clubs wanting to come in, 
like South Melbourne, Canberra Redcliffe or Fremantle, get in as teams 13 and14. then, teams15 and 16. Up to the administration to pull their finger out of their ear. 

So what is WU supoorter base? i did see a few families after the game on friday night. I did expect more WU fans thou. 

It had been stated a while ago that he was stepping away as he was going to recommence his player agent role and could not hold both positions.


It’s a hard one really. How can fans connect to a club that seems to play smoke and mirrors each week on so many things, which is the same issue I have with City.