Matildas coach Tony Gustavsson linked with rival women’s football team

Just as Tony Gustavsson has won over most of his critics during his time with the Matildas, he’s been linked with a rival job.

Tony Gustavsson, seen here during his pre-match press conference on Friday, has been linked with the USWNT job. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

Following a mountain of criticism early in this Women’s World Cup, Tony Gustavsson has won over just about everyone.

Panned initially for his handling of Sam Kerr’s injury status and his training techniques over a series of concussions, the Matildas coach had the last laugh with their historic ride to the semi-finals.

Contracted until the end of 2024 and next year’s Paris Olympics, Gustavsson has spoken glowingly and appreciatively of his time with the Aussie team.

Tony Gustavsson, seen here during his pre-match press conference on Friday, has been linked with the USWNT job. (Photo by Justin Setterfield/Getty Images)

But he has been linked with the highest profile job in the women’s game.

“He should definitely be a strong candidate for the (US) job,” hugely successful former US women’s head coach Jill Ellis told ESPN.

Ellis should know better than most.

Gustavsson was an assistant coach under Ellis for the triumphant 2015 and 2019 World Cups.

Following the reported resignation of Vlatko Andonovski after the American team’s shock round of 16 defeat to Sweden - the nation’s earliest ever departure by a long way - the role has become available.

So, Tony Gustavsson might be poached by the USWNT?
Sounds like a win-win for #AUS & him.
Let's win tomorrow night & say a mutual: Thanks & good luck. 👍🏾

— Dean Rosario (@DeanRosario) August 18, 2023

It was the performance of the Matildas in the warm-up victory over France that really impressed Ellis.

“I watched them play against France in the warm-up game and I remember going ‘this is a well-oiled machine’,” she said prior to Australia’s semi-final defeat to England.

“They’re going to make a deep run in this tournament. You could just see it, the way they stepped together and moved together.

“It just reminded me a lot of our team in 2019. We were a very well-oiled machine, prepared for any situation.”

While the Matildas lost 3-1 to England in a devastating result, Gustavsson still has the opportunity to guide the team to a first-ever podium in the third place playoff with Sweden on Saturday.

Gustavsson had to manage without Sam Kerr for the entire group stage of this year’s World Cup. . (Photo by FRANCK FIFE / AFP)

In his pre-match press conference on Friday, Gustavsson laughed about the way his reputation has turned around in a short space of time.

“It’s funny how this game works, right?” he said. “A couple of weeks ago, there was speculation on when I was going to get sacked from the job.

“We know the business, how it works. You’re never better than your last game; losing tomorrow and I’m probably s**t again.

“It’s just how it works. It’s one game at a time. I love working with this team.

“We’ve been on a journey together and I said it from day one.

“It’s such a privilege to be a part of this team and this journey and be a smaller part of something much bigger than the 90 minute football.

Tony Gustavsson responds to reported interest from four-time champions USWNT 👀

🗣️ "Losing tomorrow, I’m probably sh** again." 😅

The full press conference 📲 https://t.co/1jbYOR3kS6#OptusSport#FIFAWWCpic.twitter.com/ULBMm0Gy86

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) August 18, 2023

“The legacy that these players wanted to leave here and been able to do so as well and experience the game tomorrow with them is something I’m really looking forward to.”

Ellis added that the Swedish born Gustavsson had done a remarkable job considering the Matildas were missing captain Sam Kerr throughout the group stage.

“I don’t think people are giving him and his staff enough credit for having navigated most of this tournament without arguably one of the best players in the world,” she said.

“Most of us as coaches would not have said Australia was even close to being a contender without (Sam) Kerr.

“So that’s pretty remarkable what they’ve been able to navigate as a staff.”