Joe Montemurro announced as new Matildas coach with home Asian Cup in sight
Updated . First published
The Matildas' 10-month global search for their new head coach is over, with Football Australia (FA) unveiling Joe Montemurro as Tom Sermanni's permanent replacement.
Montemurro prematurely departed his post as head coach of Olympique Lyonnes on Sunday, following the end of the French domestic season.
Despite being contracted to Lyon until June 2026, having only joined the team last June, Montemurro vacated the role to take up the top job with the Australian women's national team.
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Incoming Matilda's new coach Joe Montemurro is unveiled at Mrs Macquaries Point. Steven Siewert/ Sydney Morning Herald
Montemurro emerged as FA's preferred candidate in April after he admitted to having positive discussions with the governing body.
The announcement on Monday ends a lengthy process, with the Matildas "in limbo" since former coach Tony Gustavsson's departure last August, followed by Sermanni's appointment as stand-in mentor in September.
Montemurro's arrival marks the end of Sermanni's extended run as interim coach — his third stint at the helm of the Matildas, having previously managed the national side for three years from 1994 before again taking charge in 2005 for seven years.
Interim Matildas head coach Tom Sermanni. Getty
Recognised as one of the world's most respected women's football coaches, Montemurro has put together a winning CV as a domestic league coach and former professional player in Italy, winning awards and accolades in managerial roles across Europe and Australia.
He has conquered the Women's Super League with Arsenal (2018/19), taken Juventus Women to the top of Italy (2021/22) and won two A-League Women's titles with Melbourne City (2015/16, 2016/17).
In his time managing Lyon, the side won 30 of its 34 games across all competitions.
This season, Lyon once again finished undefeated atop the Première Ligue league ladder and were crowned back-to-back champions following its 3-0 triumph over Paris in the final last month.
The club was earlier knocked out of the UEFA Women's Champions League with a 4-1 loss to Arsenal — a minor slip-up in Montemurro's winning record.
Montemurro is the 15th full-time coach of the Matildas.
Former head coach of Olympique Lyonnes Joe Montemurro. Getty
"This team means so much to so many Australians, and I'm humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter," Montemurro told media on Monday.
"I've followed their incredible journey closely and am energised by the passion, resilience, and identity they've built."
Ahead of next year's home Asian Cup, FA interim chief executive Heather Garriock said the Matildas will draw on Montemurro's tactical intelligence and player development at this critical time.
Silverware is what the Matildas have long craved. The team has not won a major tournament since it defeated Korea to clinch the 2010 Asian Cup.
"We undertook a considered and rigorous process to ensure we would secure the strongest candidate to lead one of the most beloved national teams," Garriock said.
"It was about getting the right coach, not the first coach."
Hailing from Melbourne, Montemurro also has connections to some of the current Matildas squad.
Montemurro began his women's football coaching career at Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.
Joe Montemurro during his time as coach of the A-League All Stars Women team. Getty Images for APL
During his time in the A League Women competition and with Arsenal and Lyon, and his brief stint as coach of the A-League All Stars team last year, Montemurro has worked with several Matildas, including Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord, Ellie Carpenter, Tameka Yallop, Michelle Heyman and Cortnee Vine.
It was Montemurro who was also pivotal in luring Catley and Foord across to Arsenal.
The Matildas will face Argentina for the second time in a matter of days on Monday night, with kick-off in Canberra scheduled for 7.30pm (AEST).
Montemurro will formally commence his role on June 16, first taking charge of the Matildas for the June/July FIFA women's international window, which includes a two-game series against Slovenia and Panama.
With plans to retire, 70-year-old Sermanni insisted he would not approach his last game leading the Matildas any differently.
"Apart from [winning], not really," he said during his pre-match press conference on Sunday.
"For me, it's been really important to just try and keep everything stable so that when the new coach comes in, he or she can start to take the program forward."
