‘Outstanding’ Joe Montemurro has ‘great credentials’ to become Matildas coach

The search continues for a permanent Matildas coach as the AFC Women’s Asian Cup fast approaches.

Matildas interim boss Tom Sermanni has backed decorated club coach Joe Montemurro to become coach of the women’s national team, but will “fully support” whoever Football Australia appoints.

Veteran mentor Sermanni, who has coached the Matildas in two previous stints, was hired in a caretaker capacity in September last year, and remains in charge for Australia’s matches against South Korea on Friday night (Sydney) and Monday night (Newcastle).

However, with next year’s AFC Asian Women’s Cup fast approaching, the need for a permanent successor to previous Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson is becoming urgent.

Former Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City women’s coach Montemurro, the current boss French club Lyon’s female team, is reportedly FA’s top target, despite being under contract at his current club beyond this season.

And with good reason. Montemurro, 55, has led Juventus and Arsenal to respective titles in the Italian and English women’s top-flight competitions, and has Lyon on target to win the French championship is his first season at the club.

Joe Montemurro is reportedly Football Australia’s top target to coach the Matildas. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images for APL

“Joe’s an outstanding coach,” Sermanni said on Thursday.

“You just look at his CV and he’s an Aussie, so he’s got great credentials for the job, but whatever way the decision that the FA is going, that’s a decision that I’ll fully support.

“That’s somebody else’s decision to decide who’s going to replace me.”

Sermanni has injury problems to deal with ahead of the two-game series against South Korea.

Key pair Ellie Carpenter (ankle) and Hayley Raso (thigh) have been ruled out of both matches and will return early to their respective clubs – Lyon and Tottenham – to continue their rehabilitation.

“Ellie came in with an ankle that we knew had some issues,” Sermanni admitted.

“We were really confident with the information that we got that her ankle would settle down.

“Unfortunately … that ankle just hasn’t settled down, and it’s just not worth the risk.”

Raso also brought her injury into camp.

“It was something that she did in the final training session at Tottenham. She didn’t feel it was too bad … but once we got the MRI we found it’s not (OK) and we just can’t take the risk.”

Ellie Carpenter has been withdrawn from the Matildas squad because of an ankle injury. Picture: Chris Hyde – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

Goalkeeper Mackenzie Arnold isn’t expected to be considered for Friday’s match after suffering an arm injury at training.

Sermanni said the presence in the camp of star striker Sam Kerr – albeit in a non-playing capacity as she continues her recovery from the torn anterior cruciate ligament in her knee that she suffered in January last year – had been “fantastic”.

“It’s great to have Sam in here. She’s come in and she’s been upbeat, she’s added a lot of life around the team … it’s been really good to have her back,” he said.

Originally published as ‘Outstanding’ Joe Montemurro has ‘great credentials’ to become Matildas coach