Former national coach Tom Sermanni takes over Matildas in interim capacity
Updated . First published at
Former women's national coach Tom Sermanni has been named Matildas interim coach as Football Australia continues its search for a long-term answer for the role after the departure of Tony Gustavsson.
Sermanni's interim appointment will cover friendly matches in Europe in October and in Australia in December if needed.
Sermanni, currently head of football at A-League Women's club Western Sydney Wanderers, will be in charge of the national team for a third time, after previously leading the side from 1994-1997 and again from 2005-2012.
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"It's an honour to return to the Matildas, even in this interim capacity," he said in a Football Australia statement.
"I'm looking forward to working with this talented group of players and helping to ensure a smooth transition as Football Australia continues its search for a permanent head coach.
"My immediate priority is to prepare the team for the upcoming international window."
Tom Sermanni(R) during the 2007 Women's World Cup. Getty
Sermanni led the Matildas to their only major trophy, the AFC Women's Asian Cup in 2010, and was at the helm when the team made the quarter-finals at the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2007 and 2011.
Speaking after Gustavsson and Football Australia parted ways following a dismal Olympic campaign last month, Sermanni called out the players in defence of the coach.
"I don't want to get into the players – but go out and just do your job," Sermanni said.
"It's disappointing they [Matildas] didn't get through the group [at the Olympics], unfortunately the hype around the team sometimes overshadows the reality of what the team can achieve.
"I think [Gustavsson] gets an unfair rap in that – if you have a squad of 20 players... some will always be upset by not playing attacking enough or playing out of position.
"It is easy to find players who are upset or unhappy."
The appointment is likely to be a popular one with the playing group, with Sermanni launching the national careers of current players Caitlin Foord, Alanna Kennedy, Steph Catley, Katrina Gorry, Tameka Yallop, Clare Polkinghorne, Hayley Raso, Emily van Egmond and Mackenzie Arnold in his previous stint.
He also handed Sam Kerr her national team debut in 2009 at the age of 15.
