LOCAL investors want to rescue Brisbane Roar from the depths of despair after another day of blood-letting at the three-time A-League championship-winning club.

Less than a week after the departure of football manager Ken Stead for cost-cutting purposes, managing director Sean Dobson followed him out the door yesterday.

It is understood Dobson was made the fall guy for the extent of the Roar’s financial problems, which included a projected loss of more than $2.25 million for the 2015 financial year and plans to slash costs next season to reduce their annual loss by more than $1.8 million.

Roar chairman Chris Fong denied the cuts, but the axings have continued, with club owners the Bakrie Group desperate to find investors to ease their financial burden.

media_camera Chris Fong. Picture: Annette Dew

Despite Fong having reportedly stated he would have to look overseas for new investors, it’s understood a locally based consortium – including at least one former owner – has shown interest in buying into the club.

However, it is believed that the group of interested businessman want the Bakrie Group to pay off the club’s mounting debts before committing to a Roar rescue.

It is believed Roar are behind in Suncorp Stadium hiring payments, catering fees, as well as agents’ fees.

Player payments remain up to date, however it’s understood that former coach Mike Mulvey, sacked by the club in November, is planning to sue the Roar over the terms of his dismissal.

Football Federation Australia is closely monitoring the situation.

FFA has previously stepped in to save the Roar before the Bakrie Group bought a 70 per cent share of the club in September 2011 and claimed 100 per cent ownership in February 2012.

media_camera Ken Stead at Brisbane Roar training. Picture: Ric Frearson

In a statement released by the Roar last night, Fong said he would “take over the day-to-day running of the club in conjunction with other executives” and that the search for a replacement for Dobson had already started.

Having once enjoyed a strong relationship, the bond between Fong, Dobson and Stead became irreparably broken.

Dobson was particularly angered by Fong’s recent comments that interim coach Frans Thijssen would not become the club’s technical director next season despite Dobson and Stead having previously said the Dutchman would fill that role.

Last week’s public airing of the club’s financial woes was the last straw, with Dobson, who was the club’s financial officer before stepping up to his managerial post, held accountable by a furious Fong.

Attempts to contact Dobson last night were unsuccessful.

The club is yet to appoint a coach for next season, with favoured candidate Ramon Tribulietx in limbo following the culling of Stead and Dobson.

Originally published as Local cash may save sinking Roar