Soccer: Search for new Matildas coach takes a back seat

The resumes are starting to flood in for the Matildas position left vacant following Saturday’s sudden sacking of coach Alen Stajcic.

Australian Joe Montemurro is currently in charge of the women’s program at Arsenal

It’s one of the best jobs in the world of international women’s football, so it is no surprise the resumes are starting to flood in for the Matildas position left vacant following Saturday’s sudden sacking of coach Alen Stajcic.

But Football Federation Australia’s search for a new coach has taken a back seat after the Matildas’ highest-profile star Sam Kerr, one of the best players in the world, threw her weight behind Stajcic. There were suggestions Kerr had been gagged by FFA after her W-League club Perth Glory said she would not do any interviews yesterday.

But, she took to social media, leaving no doubt where her allegiance is.

“I have not been gagged by the FFA,” she tweeted. “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 his done for me and the team.”

Her comments show Australian soccer is a sport divided and in damage control after Football Federation Australia announced they had terminated Stajcic’s contract, which was due to end next year, on the grounds of an “unsatisfactory environment” within the Matildas.

It leaves FFA in a frantic search for a replacement less than six months out from the World Cup finals in France, where Australia is regarded as a serious contender for the title.

FFA chief executive David Gallop will address the players at today’s scheduled pre-arranged leadership summit in Sydney. However, the players have been told they are not to comment to the media.

Football Coaches Australia chief executive Glen Warry told The Australian they were disappointed Stajcic wasn’t given due process.

Just who FFA turn to remains to be seen, but it is clear they will need to move quickly in a bid to minimise the damage and disruption, if that is possible given the current upheaval.

The new appointment is likely to be on an interim basis but needs to be in place by early next month as the Matildas will host the Tournament of Nations involving games against Argentina, New Zealand and South Korea.

In that case, it would appear the most likely option would be to appoint a local coach instead of hiring someone from overseas, as they did in the case of the Socceroos and Bert van Marwijk.

As much as FFA is adamant it will try to find the best option, it is understood their preferred option is put a woman in charge and it is believed Brisbane Roar W-League coach Melissa Andreatta could be in the frame.

Andreatta has only coached at W-League level for two years and is an unknown quality at the international level. However, she has had experience in the national set-up having been an assistant with the Australian under-17s.

As a stopgap measure, her advantage is that, through her work in the W-League, she has a great knowledge of the Matildas players, the way they play, their characteristics and strengths and weaknesses.

Former Melbourne City women’s coach Joe Montemurro has also been mentioned. He is currently heading up the women’s program at English giants Arsenal. FFA probably don’t have the money to entice him away from such a prestigious job.

Just where Matildas assistant Gary van Egmond sits in all of this remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, Stajcic has received massive support with current Matildas Lisa De Vanna, Chloe Logarzo, Kyah Simon, Emily Gielnik, Renee Rollason and Clare Polkinghorn using social media to express their support and dismay.

Former players Melissa Barbieri and Heather Garriock have also been quick to support him, with Garriock declaring he had put the Matildas on the world map.