Alen Stajcic sacking: Clock ticking on Matildas coach the second he took the job

Ex-Matildas coach Alen Stajcic had powerful forces against him in Australian soccer from the moment he took the job.

Alen Stajcic was due to lead the Matildas to the World Cup in June this year. Picture: Getty Images

Sacked Matildas coach Alen Stajcic was told in November by Football Federation Australia chief executive David Gallop that the election of a new board of directors was “good news for me — not so much for you”.

The inference from Gallop, even if suggested in jest, was that there were forces behind the scenes who were against Stajcic.

It was also claimed Stajcic was told months earlier by an FFA board member that “they are out to get you”.

Truth is, those forces have always been there. The clock was ticking on Stajcic’s reign from the day it was announced he was replacing Hesterine De Reus, who had been sacked on September 22, 2014, after a Matildas revolt over her strict regime.

To understand just a small part of the astonishing story in which Stajcic was controversially dumped just five months before he was due to lead them at the World Cup finals in France, you have to go back to the beginning.

Stajcic was a decent player in his day but never reached the heights of the NSL. He only wanted to make a difference in the sport. He wanted football to be the most popular game in the country and for Australia to show the world that it can play at the highest level.

He threw himself at the cause of women’s football and worked his way up the ladder. At 29 he ­became head coach of the NSW Institute of Sport’s women’s football program and led the NSW Sapphires to a title in the days before the W-League. It was a time when the women’s game got little or no financial support, let alone recognition.

Then followed a stint with the Young Matildas before club football called again and he was handed the job with Sydney FC’s W-League team, eventually leading them to two championships.

The results say differently, but there were some tough days. Little money was spent on the team, and many times the players had to change and get strapping to their ankles under the shade of trees at training and in full public view — when they could find a decent training venue. He also paid out of his own pocket for accommodation for some overseas players.

Now this is where things start to get interesting.

With his star on the rise, Stajcic understandably looked to new pastures in the women’s game but to no avail.

In the 12 to 15 months before he eventually got the Matildas job, he had applied for a number of positions within FFA, including the role with the Matildas, which went to De Reus, another with the Australian under 17s, which went to a women B-licence coach at the time, and technical director of women’s football, which went to Ante Juric.

Despite having all the qualifications and results on the board, Stajcic did not get a look-in. Why?

One source told The Weekend Australian they believe there was a common denominator, though they were reluctant to name names. Stajcic’s failure to get the Matildas job given to De Reus raises the most questions.

As a result of his outstanding work to that point, he was considered a standout candidate and was recommended to the FFA board.

However, The Weekend Australian has been told “that was blocked at board level because Staj had a number of influential opponents and there was a strong push for a woman”.

Another source confirmed there were robust discussions among panel members assigned to appoint a new coach and that some were adamant Stajcic was the best person for it. They were ignored and the job was handed to De Reus.

When the Dutchwoman was subsequently sacked and Stajcic replaced her, the finger was pointed at him as an instigator.

He has been a marked man ever since.

Despite his remarkable success with the Matildas that saw them finish runner-up in the Asian Cup in 2014 and 2018 and quarter-finalist at the World Cup (2015) and Olympics (2016), those forces finally got their way last Saturday when FFA announced he had been axed amid claims from the head body that he had overseen a “toxic culture” in the Matildas.

FFA has remained tight-lipped and has cited confidentiality and legal ramifications in refusing to give more details, but The Weekend Australian has been told there is no smoking gun allegation and no hint of sexual misbehaviour or violence that would warrant police intervention.

Instead, there have been allegations, not directly linked to Stajcic, of bullying, homophobic comments, fat-shaming and mental disintegration in the Matildas camp. The Weekend Australian is not suggesting Stajcic has engaged in any wrongdoing.

There is talk of the Matildas being divided. There are allegations some players have been in relationships with one another and allegations that some were upset and angry when told they could not room together.

Heads were turned further when it was reported FFA board member Heather Reid had contacted some media and football fans with commentary, which she also repeated in some astonishing public comments this week.

Having declined to speak to The Australian when contacted the day before, Reid gave an interview to The Sydney Morning Herald.

“It’s a pity that there aren’t more parents and players prepared to speak up about some of his behaviour,” Reid said.

“If people knew the actual facts, they would be shocked. I can refer you to some people who were involved with the Green and Gold Army (official supporter group) who were in Jordan for the Asian Cup (April 2018) and talked to ­parents and heard their concerns about the welfare of their daughters.

“And talk to players about their situation in the team.”

Questions need to be asked around just who knew, and how much they knew, about that situation with the Matildas.

FFA had quite a deal of staff and management at that tournament and other games and camps involving the team, so if there were issues, why weren’t they picked up there and then?

As well, just about every professional sporting organisation works under a Member Protection Policy, which Gallop referenced in an interview this week.

“FFA has a full-time national team player development manager as well as member protection officers to assist with any issues,” he told The Daily Telegraph.

Why weren’t the member protection officers aware of the issues? And if they were, wasn’t this situation dealt with under the MPP?

In refusing to answer specific questions about the reports, FFA has been hiding behind “confidentiality” so as to protect all parties, yet Reid was quick to publicly cast stones at Stajcic. It has been suggested that her position on the board would appear untenable.

At least three Matildas staff members, disgusted with the treatment of Stajcic, have resigned of their own accord. Heads are expected to roll, especially at FFA level, as the fallout to one of the most damaging situations in Australian soccer history continues.

As many as 17 Matildas have come out in public support of Stajcic, notably Australia’s best player Sam Kerr and captain Clare Polkinghorne.

Using her Twitter account, Kerr posted last Sunday: “I have not been gagged by the FFA. I have not commented because I wasn’t ready to comment while I am still shocked and upset. My trust was in Staj to lead us to the World Cup final & I believe he was the best coach for that. Thankful for everything he’s done for me and the team.”

While insisting the Matildas must move on from the drama and start concentrating on the World Cup, Polkinghorne defended Stajcic.

She said on Thursday she had not experienced bullying, fat-shaming or the toxic environment cited as part of the “unacceptable culture” that allegedly manifested itself under Stajcic and required his removal.

“But I’m just one player and can’t speak on behalf of other players,” she said.

“Over the last four or five years we’ve created a successful environment and got good results.”

Social media has been awash with accusations and finger-pointing with suggestions “burner” accounts on Twitter have been used in an attempt to discredit Stajcic.

The entire situation has got out of control. FFA has been slammed for their handling of it. The pressure is on FFA chairman Chris Nikou and Gallop to come up with answers amid fears they will simply opt to ride out the storm, hoping fans and the media will lose interest.

But judging by the reaction, especially among the rank and file, that is not going to be allowed to happen as calls grow for the head body to instigate an independent inquiry to get to the bottom of it.

Only then are we likely to get the answers many in the sport have been seeking.