FFA set to appoint Ante Milicic as interim coach of Matildas

Ante Milicic is set to be handed the Matildas coaching role on an interim basis.

Ante Milicic is set to be appointed to coach the Matildas at the World Cup in France. Picture: Getty Images

Football Federation Australia is close to making a decision on the new coach of the Matildas, with former Socceroo Ante Milicic set to be handed an interim role for the World Cup finals in France in June.

The Weekend Australian understands Milicic, who is still employed by FFA, is the preferred option ahead of two overseas-based coaches, believed to be former Czech Republic boss Jitka Klimkova and Mark Parsons, who is in charge of US National Women’s Soccer League club, Portland Thorns.

It is also understood former Brisbane Roar assistant coach Ross Aloisi was interviewed for the job.

Milicic, 44, is expected to replace Alen Stajcic, who was controversially sacked last month over allegations of a toxic environment within the Matildas camp.

Milicic has been contracted to FFA since 2014 and was one of the assistants during the reign of Ange Postecoglou at the Socceroos, but he has had much less involvement with the national team since ­Postecoglou departed in November 2017.

He also coached the Olyroos (under-23s) before current Socceroos boss Graham Arnold took over that role in conjunction with his national team duties.

FFA has been working hard to try to convince Croatia-based ­Milicic to take on the role with the Matildas, a job seen by some as a poisoned chalice, given the events of the past month.

His appointment would make sense given his employment situation with FFA, though it is understood he would receive extra financial benefits.

Milicic’s preferred option is to get a job coaching in the A-League and he has been linked strongly with the position at the South West Sydney United franchise that will be included in a revamped A-League for the season starting at the end of 2020.

Milicic, who is regarded as one of the best young coaches in the country, is in charge of the Australian under-20s, but it is not known whether he will continue in that role.

If he accepts the position he will vacate the Matildas job at the end of the World Cup, giving FFA time to search for a new full-time coach, likely to be a woman.

His first games in charge with the Matildas would be the Cup of Nations tournament in Australia later this month when they play South Korea, New Zealand and Argentina.