Tom Sermanni to coach Matildas against Argentina as search for head coach drags on

Tom Sermanni’s reign as interim Matildas mentor will continue for another two games – but the latest delay gives the biggest hint yet at who looks set to be announced as the next coach.

Tom Sermanni’s reign as interim Matildas coach is not over yet leaving the incoming coach just four windows before the all important Asian Cup.

An insider told Code Sports that Sermanni would coach the Matildas for their two-match series against Argentina at the end of next month as Football Australia works to lock in a new coach.

Sermanni, in his third stint as Matildas coach, was appointed on an interim basis in September replacing Tony Gustavsson.

The coach said post the final game against Korea Republic, earlier this week, that he hadn’t expected his stint to last as long as it has.

Players have voiced their frustrations at the length of time it has taken and the feeling of “limbo” it has created.

Australia’s Interim Head Coach Tom Sermanni is set to be in charge for at a minimum two further matches. Picture: Getty

Code Sports understands that Football Australia has narrowed the pool down to its final few candidates and was close to making a decision.

These delays firm up suspicions that Joe Montemurro is set to take charge.

His Lyon side, currently leading the French women’s premier league, could potentially play its last match of the season on May 25 – should they qualify for the UEFA Women’s Champions League final.

Montemurro has confirmed he has had two discussions with Football Australia about the role despite being contracted until 2027.

The Australian coach has had a very successful career – first in the A-League’s women’s, then at Arsenal, Juventus and now Lyon. He has won titles all around the world.

Montemurro has also worked with several of the Matildas players during his coaching career including Steph Catley, Caitlin Foord and most recently Ellie Carpenter.

Also at the top of the list is former Socceroo John Aloisi.

Aloisi’s Western United’s men’s team sit second on the A-League’s table and finals are locked in for May 31.

There is a feeling that the Matildas are closing in on the signing of Lyon’s Joe Montemurro. Picture: Getty

He too has said he has had conversations with Football Australia about the Matildas job. Aloisi is understood to be off-contract at Western United at the end of the season.

With Sermanni taking charge for one more window it means the incoming coach, whomever it is, will have just four windows, a maximum of 12 games, to prepare before the Asian Cup.

This Asian Cup isn’t just any other tournament. Australia is playing host.

And the Matildas haven’t won anything since Tom Sermanni guided the team to victory at the 2010 Asian Cup.

Pressure will be on the new coach to deliver a result especially given the Matildas recent form slump.

They broke records when they finished fourth at the 2023 World Cup – only to bow out of the Olympics in the group stage.

The lack of a coach and no immediate tournament certainly took a toll on the team who have struggled to perform since.

Given the limited time between coming on board and the tournament, which starts on March 1, the new coach is unlikely to be in a position to make mass changes to the existing squad.

The new coach is also likely to bring in their own assistant following the departure of long time assistant coach Melissa Andreatta. Andreatta was this week announced as the new head coach of Scotland’s women’s national team.

Matildas will play Argentina in Melbourne on May 30 and again in Canberra on June 2.

Originally published as Tom Sermanni to coach Matildas against Argentina as search for head coach drags on