Women’s World Cup 2019: Ange Postecoglou backs Ante Milicic to make an impact with the Matildas

Ange Postecoglou says his ex-Socceroos lieutenant is the “right calming influence they need” as coach Ante Milicic and the Matildas kick off their World Cup campaign against Italy.

Ange Postecoglou says his “meticulous” ex-Socceroos lieutenant is well equipped and hellbent on doing something “special” with the Matildas at the World Cup.

Ante Milicic will coach the world No. 6 Matildas in their Sunday night World Cup ­opener against Italy, as they bid to surpass their best cup effort of making the last eight in 2015.

While Milicic has served a thorough apprenticeship under coaches such as Postecoglou and Tony Popovic, the ­Matildas job is the first ­“senior” role he accepted after ­rejecting a host of A-League positions in recent years.

Postecoglou said Milicic was primed to make an impact at France 2019.

“He’s a good coach, a smart guy, he’s passionate, works hard, he’s meticulous. I think he’ll do well,’’ Postecoglou said.

“He really wants to do things that are special and he’s got a great group of players, and I think he’s the right ­person for them. They keep saying to me there’s differences between the women’s and men’s games and — I’ve worked in the men’s game my whole career, (but) I just look at it as a football team and they’re a very good football team and he’s a very good coach.

“The one thing you can’t buy or compensate is experience and he’s had fantastic experience. Two World Cups, Asian Cup, World Cup qualifiers. He’s not going to be overawed or anything that happens at the World Cup is not going to strike him as new. He’s going to be the right calming influence they need.”

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Ante Milicic at his unveiling as the new Matildas coach, alongside players (from left) Gemma Simon, Emily Gielnik and Laura Alleway. Picture: AFP

While Postecoglou espoused the late Johnny ­Warren’s lofty ambition of winning a men’s World Cup one day, he believes the ­Matildas can do it sooner.

“I know Ante believes they can win it. What’s the point of going there if you’re not trying to win it?” he said.

“That’s where the players’ mindset is at and they’ve got a coach who will develop that further and a coach that wants to make his own mark. And what better way to do that than go to the World Cup and make a massive impact.”

Milicic offers instructions to Matildas captain Sam Kerr. Picture: Getty

Postecoglou, noted as a hard task master, paid tribute to Milicic’s Socceroos contribution from 2014-18.

“He was with me for four years and I rate him very ­highly. Guys I’ve worked with, you take an interest in their ­careers and you want to make sure they make good decisions along the way,’’ he said.

“He asked about it and with me, I’ve always said to them, Ante or other coaches, if they feel it’s going to help them grow and it’s going to be challenging and also satisfying for them, (go for it).”

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Ange Postecoglou and assistant Ante Milicic when together back in 2014.