Milicic wants to bring the ‘right people’ in at Macarthur FC

Matildas head coach and former Socceroo Ante Milicic is looking forward to leading new A-League club Macarthur FC when the first ball is kicked at Campbelltown Stadium in 2020.

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Matildas head coach and former Socceroo Ante Milicic is looking forward to leading new A-League club Macarthur FC when the first ball is kicked at Campbelltown Stadium in 2020.

Milicic began his playing career in South West Sydney and helped establish the Western Sydney Wanderers on the national sporting scene during a two-year spell as assistant coach.

The Bulls job will be the 45-year-old’s first senior coaching role in the national league.

He brings with him a wealth of experience as an assistant at the Wanderers and with the Socceroos.

Ante Milicic speaks at the launch of Macarthur FC last week. Picture; Elisa Romeo

He will lead the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup next month in France.

“To be the head coach of Macarthur FC is a huge honour and I’m really excited by it,” he told the Macarthur Chronicle at the club launch last week.

“The most important thing is that we bring the right people in to the club off and on the pitch so we’ve got a good platform to move forward with. Young players have to understand, both boys and girls, that there now is a club in their local area so if they’re good enough then there is a pathway there for them.”

Milicic will coach Rosemeadow’s Alanna Kennedy at the Women’s World Cup and said he expects a few pointers from the defender about coaching her new hometown club.

Ante Milicic Matildas Gemma Simon, Emily Gielnik and Laura Alleway Picture; Saeed Khan

“Alanna’s been great and she’s a fantastic footballer and I’m sure we’ll catch up in camp and she’ll share some ideas with me,” he said.