How Australia missed its 30-day window to sign one of the world’s best coaches to lead Matildas

About 30 days – that is how much Football Australia missed signing one of the world’s best women’s football coaches as Tony Gustavsson’s successor.

Football Australia was just 30 days too late to secure one of the world’s best women’s football coaches as the next Matildas manager – a sliding doors moment that could haunt them as the search for a Tony Gustavsson replacement could extend into 2025.

Joe Montemurro was the top pick to replace outgoing Matildas coach Gustavsson – he ticks all the boxes – Australian, familiar with the style of play, respected by the players, incredible resume.

The 55-year-old’s contract with Juventus ended in March. He was in Australia in May as coach of the inaugural A-League's’ Women’s All Stars team.

In June he signed a new two-year deal with leading French women’s club Lyon.

By August Tony Gustavsson was sacked.

Leading Australian coach Joe Montemurro with Matildas star Cortnee Vine. Picture: Getty

The fact Montemurro signed a new two-year deal with Lyon in June, just weeks after being back home – proves Football Australia still had faith in Gustavsson to deliver a result at the Paris Olympics and possibly were open to extending his contract.

There was no behind closed doors promise to hand Montemurro the Matildas job or wait until after the Olympic Games to see if Gustavsson delivered a medal if he was willing to go a few months without a pay cheque.

But given he flew halfway across the world to coach a one-off exhibition match with a team full of Matildas stars there is little doubt Montemurro would have taken the Matildas job had he been offered it.

Instead cruel timing ruled him out of the running and left Football Australia in an incredibly tough predicament.

With European leagues running from September to May and Gustavsson’s contract ending in August it meant all of the best candidates, like Montemurro, were contracted.

It is why now two months on from Gustavsson’s departure Football Australia is no closer to naming a successor.

Montemurro signed a two-year deal with French powerhouse Lyon. Picture: Getty

Instead opting to name former Matildas coach Tom Sermanni as an interim coach for an undetermined length of time.

Montemurro honed his skills in the A-League's’ Women’s, guiding Melbourne Victory to the semi-final in 2014 and then leading Melbourne City to Championship-Premiership double the following season.

In 2017 he took over at English WSL club Arsenal.

In 2018, his first full season in charge, he helped Arsenal win their first WSL title since 2012.

Before he left he brought over rising Matildas stars Caitlin Foord and Steph Catley – putting their careers on a whole new trajectory.

He joined Juventus in 2021 – helping the women’s team win five trophies in his three year stint. Then he signed his new deal with Lyon – they are two matches into the season and undefeated – scoring 12 goals across both games.

Former Matildas captain Melissa Barbieri said Montemurro had definitely been her top pick to take the job.

“I feel like all our best candidates are taken at the moment,” Barbieri said.

“We might have to look overseas and maybe get someone to adapt to our style. I think our best candidate was Joe Montemurro but he couldn’t be snapped up in between him leaving Juventus and signing with Lyon.”

Tom Sermanni has taken over the Matildas in an interim capacity. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Finding another top level women’s football coach with an understanding of Australian football and a resume to match Montemurro’s is a near impossible task.

It is why Football Australia had no option but to appoint Sermanni as an interim.

In his first press conference since being appointed Sermanni appeared confident he would still be in the job come the four-game series against Brazil and Chinese Taipei in Queensland and Victoria in December.

The next window after that is in February, with a total of six windows in 2025.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson has made no secret they are searching high and low around the globe for the best possible candidate – and that they are in no rush with the Matildas not playing another competitive match until the 2026 Asian Cup.

Obviously a replacement needs to be found with enough time to get the team into shape for the tournament which will be played in Australia.

Other factors such as how far Australia is from Europe also adds to the recruitment woes.

Originally published as How Australia missed its 30-day window to sign one of the world’s best coaches to lead Matildas