The head coach of Arsenal's women's team is emerging as the primary target of Football Federation Australia to replace Alen Stajcic as coach of the Matildas through the 2019 Women's World Cup.
Joe 'Pepe' Montemurro, one of Australia's most decorated coaches in women's football, is understood to be in FFA's crosshairs, with the organisation weighing up a major move to sign the coach directly from the Gunners.
Former Melbourne City women's coach, Joe Montemurro, now at Arsenal, is linked with the Matildas job . November 8, 2017.Credit: Melbourne City FC
It's understood FFA did not have a replacement for Stajcic in mind before it decided to terminate his contract on Saturday following a review into the Matildas' team culture.
However, the governing body immediately turned its attention towards finding a new coach and aims to make an appointment in time for next month's Tournament of Nations on home soil, where Australia will face New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina.
There are a number of names on the FFA radar though sources informed Herald Montemurro's sits on the top of their list. Montemurro has spent the past two seasons with Arsenal's women's team and made an immediate impact, winning the League Cup in his first season in North London and guiding the club to the FA Cup final, losing out Chelsea in the decider. Arsenal are a strong chance to win the Womens' Super League this season, currently sitting second in the league one point behind Manchester City but with a game in hand.
The 49-year-old enjoyed considerable success in Australia as well, lifting the W-League premiership in his first season as coach of Melbourne City's women's team in 2016. He spent more than a decade coaching in the Victorian State League, winning youth titles with Melbourne Knights and South Melbourne before moving to Melbourne Victory to coach their W-League team for the 2014-15 season.
Montemurro is one of the few Australian coaches to hold a UEFA A Pro Coaching Licence, which he earned while studying at the famed Coverciano institution, home of the Italian national team.
It makes him the standout candidate in the immediate aftermath of Stajcic's sacking, according to FFA sources. However, the organisation is expecting to be inundated with applications to take charge of the team ranked No.6 in the world through to the 2019 World Cup. At this stage, it's likely FFA will opt for a short-term appointment until the conclusion of the tournament in France.
"We need to move quickly on that. We’d like to have a coach in place. The cup of nations is about a month away and it’s a very important preparation tournament," FFA chief executive David Gallop said.
While the FFA is interested in Montemurro, they could find it difficult to secure his services, with the coach having only signed a long-term contract extension with Arsenal in October last year. The FFA may have to settle for allowing Montemurro to continue working with the Gunners while overseeing the Matildas during international breaks.
The Matildas host New Zealand, South Korea and Argentina in the Cup of Nations in late February, which falls in an international window, before playing a friendly away to USA in the next international window - their final game before the start of the preparations for the World Cup.
It's understood current Matildas assistant coach, Gary van Egmond, is unlikely to be considered for the top job or for an interim role until the FFA board concludes its full review of the team's culture. Van Egmond is likely to be pulled in front of the FFA's senior management to answer questions over his conduct during a period where the team's environment has been described as toxic.
Gallop confirmed the board will continue its review of the team's environment where more changes could be made to the backroom staff.
"The board is keen that we continue to review the preparation for the World Cup," he said on Saturday.
There have been calls for the FFA to appoint a female head coach to its national team however chairman Chris Nikou said on Saturday the best candidate will be hired, irrespective of gender.