Matildas players, including injured captain Sam Kerr, will be consulted by Football Australia in the crucial search for the team’s next coach.
Two weeks after Tony Gustavsson’s departure, the FA has begun the recruitment process for the coach who will lead Australia through the next cycle, including the 2026 Asian Cup, 2027 Women’s World Cup and 2028 Olympic Games.
“We need players to be involved. That’s important,” FA chief executive James Johnson told AAP.
‘The players don’t make the decisions. We make them.’
“But I think the more we can understand the players’ perspective on what went well and what didn’t go well, what they want to keep and what they don’t (the better), and then it’s up to us to decide how much of that is relevant.
‘Listening to the players will certainly be important and that’s what we’re going to do.
“But ultimately, we’ll make the decision, and we’ll make it based on what we believe is best for the future of this team.”
There is no firm deadline, but the FA hope to have a replacement for Gustavsson appointed within the next few months.
Former San Diego Wave coach Casey Stoney and Sydney FC mentor Ante Juric look like possible contenders, while Joe Montemurro is unlikely to be in the mix given he has just started at Lyon.
Sam Kerr will be consulted during Football Australia’s search for a new Matildas coach
The Matildas have parted ways with Tony Gustavsson after his disastrous Olympic run
Getting the best out of the 30-year-old Kerr will clearly be crucial.
Asked if the consultation process would include Kerr, who has not been involved with the team since tearing his ACL in January, Johnson said: “Absolutely. I’m in touch with Sam as we speak.
‘She’s a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, an incredible athlete, an incredible footballer and we’re very, very proud of her.
Obviously it was very difficult not having Sam in Paris, but we are connected.
“We look forward to welcoming Sam back to the team, and yes, she will have a very important role to play when she consults with the players about the new coach.”
Johnson previously consulted with veteran players following Ante Milicic’s departure in 2020.
She pointed to the fact that Gustavsson has led Australia to unprecedented semi-final finishes at the Women’s World Cup and Olympics as proof of her worth.
“The players told me what they didn’t like about the past four years and then what they liked,” Johnson said.
“And ultimately that fueled some of our thinking about Tony’s appointment.
Injured star Kerr is among a group of players who will be consulted about the appointment.
“We did well, so I think he was a coach that the players liked and that’s why they were successful.”
Johnson has come out in defence of the players after they were branded “spoilt” following their horrific group stage exit at the Olympics.
He reiterated his support for the Matildas.
“They are the first to step forward and acknowledge that the team did not go as far as we wanted in Paris. They are not making excuses,” Johnson said.
“They are professionals and they are going to be part of the review. They are great in that aspect.”
‘But look, I’ve worked with this team for four and a half years, and what I can say is that we have an exceptional group of individuals.
‘They are great leaders, they are great role models, they are winners and they have a growth mindset.
“So I think they will take the challenges we had at the Paris Olympics and use that experience to learn, improve, grow and prepare for success in this next cycle.
“That’s been the feedback I’ve gotten, and that’s why I’ll always defend this team and these players, because they’re brilliant and we need to protect them so they’re set up for success in the future.”
