Matildas set on winning silverware as coach search heats up

After the Matildas horror Olympic campaign, where Tony Gustavsson’s contract came to an end, Football Australia is determined to find a coach to guide the team to finally win on the world stage.

England coach Sarina Wiegman.

The Matildas have stated they are “done with not winning silverware” as Football Australia finalises a shortlist for the team’s next head coach and may also look to target England manager Sarina Wiegman.

Currently in the mix to become the Matildas next head coach is Tanya Oxtoby. The Australian is currently coaching Northern Ireland and served as assistant to celebrated manager Emma Hayes at Chelsea FC in the Super League for two seasons. Other frontrunners for the job include Sydney FC Ante Juric and former Roar coach Ross Aloisi.

FA are also keen to talk to Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman - after their Euro 2025 campaign - even though she is contracted through with England until 2027.

After the Matildas horror Olympic campaign, where Tony Gustavsson’s contract came to an end, Football Australia is determined to find a coach to guide the team to finally win silverware on the world stage.

The teams ultimate goal is to win the Asian Cup on home soil next year in front of Australian fans.

Chair of Football Australia’s football development committee Heather Garriock, who is leading the coaching recruitment process, says they are looking for someone who can take the Matildas to “the next level” with the “quality of world-class players they have”.

It’s been 15 years since the Matildas last took home a piece of silverware. That was the women’s Asian Cup in 2010, and Garriock was part of that team.

“We need a coach that is tactically astute. We need to raise the bar with our high performance standards on and off the field and we need a coach that understands Australian culture,” Garriock said.

“This recruitment process has been a really thorough, backed by data sets and the criteria we believe as an FDC will help the Matildas win things. Straight after the Olympics, we have searched the globe and have analysed and reviewed between 50 and 60 coaches from both women’s football and men’s football.

“We got down to a short list of about 10. One thing is for sure, we won’t settle.

“No one understands what our players have gone through the last 10 years, especially our core group of players, they have strived to win but have fallen short. We would like a coach who can take this group to that next level and win things. We haven’t won any silverware yet with this quality group of players at all.”

Tom Sermanni, interim head coach of the Matildas.

In the pursuit of finding the “best” coach for the Matildas, Garriock says they are not ruling out speaking with Lionesses coach Sarina Wiegman.

Wiegman’s side will take part in the Euros later this year and are looking to defend the title they won on home soil in 2022. Wiegman secured the first trophy for the nation’s senior side since 1966.

“After Euro 2025, even though Sarina Wiegman is on a contract until 2027 we still want to be able to have the opportunity to at least have a discussion,” she said.

Insiders say if she wins the Euros again, Australia could serve as the perfect next challenge for her.

Garriock confirmed that former England international and San Diego Wave boss Casey Stoney was not considered for their short list.

One of the top candidates to take Gustavsson’s job, Joe Montemurro, slipped through Football Australia’s fingers. Montemurro signed a two-year contract with top French women’s team Lyon, just a month before Gustavsson’s contract wasn’t renewed last year.

“Joe Montemurro would have been a perfect fit, but he’s at the biggest club in the world, Lyon, and he’s on a two-year fixed contract, and therefore we’ve pivoted on what we’re doing,” she said.

Another coach who was in the running to possibly be part of the senior national team set up is Young Matildas’ head coach Leah Blayney, who has gone on to take a job as an assistant of the Japan women’s senior national team.

“It’s important for Leah to spread her wings and be in an environment where she’s going to be based in Europe, with arguably the best Asian nations, and for her to be assistant coach is an incredible opportunity,” she said. “We encouraged her to go and take that opportunity. Whilst we still wanted her in Australia, it was best for her development.”

Garriock said the Matildas playing group was consulted on what qualities they would like in a head coach.

“We asked them to explain to us the profile and attributes you’d like in a coach and the players said, we just want a coach that’s going to have high performance standards, and we want to win things, we don’t want to compromise this and are done with being second best, and that’s where our focus is for 2026,” Garriock said. “They are committed to that.”

Garriock said the next coach needs to not only be a brilliant on-field coach but also understand the team off the field.

“One of the criterias is the commercial aspect of the Matildas, and understanding the off-field side of the Matildas now, because it’s grown significantly, being able to adapt and being able to understand the Matildas brand,” she said.

“We need to make sure that our fans continue to be No.1 fans, and our brand continues to be No.1, and that’s by a coach knowing and understanding our brand and understanding Australian football.”

The Matildas are currently being guided by Tom Sermanni, who is serving on an interim basis, and oversaw six friendlies at the backend of 2024 which included a strong 6-0 win over Chinese Taipei.

Sermanni will continue to coach the Matildas to kick off 2025 at the SheBelieves Cup in February and Garriock says that the former Australian coach has been a steady hand in this time in charge.

“Tommy has been there, done that, and therefore he has created stability within the group,” Garriock said. “His forte is culture and creating a stable and enjoyable environment for the players to express themselves. Our ultimate aim is to win the Asian Cup on home soil.”

MATILDAS COACH SHORT LIST

Ross Aloisi

The former Roar men’s boss and South Australia head of women’s football is highly respected in football circles for his coaching ability. Notably, leading Australian coaches Ange Postecoglou and Alen Stajcic had Aloisi working with them on their respective national teams.

Tanya Oxtoby

This Australian was assistant to the highly rated Emma Hayes – now the United States national women’s coach – at Chelsea FC in the English Super League. Has a great knowledge of the Australian football landscape and served as an assistant coach at Perth Glory Women. Has also had extensive experience with national women’s youth teams as an assistant and video analyst. Currently head coach of Northern Ireland football team. Also boasts a psychology degree.

Ante Juric

Considered to be one of the most talented coaches in the women’s game in Australia. The former Junior Matildas coach and Football Australia assistant technical director joined Sydney FC in 2017 and has overseen the development of many young players, some of which have gone on to play at the highest level in some of the world’s best leagues.

Sarina Wiegman

The Dutch coach of England’s Lionesses has a proven track record of breaking silverware droughts. On her watch, England brought home the first trophy for the nation’s senior sides since 1966 – claiming the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 title against dreaded foe Germany. Football Australia is yet to formally talk with Wiegman but it hopes to do so after the Lionesses’ Euro 2025 campaign. –JESSICA HALLORAN