Sacked Matilda’s coach speaks out

Sacked Matilda’s coach Alen Stajcic breaks his silence, telling how his career has been left in tatters and vowing legal action.

‘My reputation has been ruined,’ says soccer coach Alen Stajcic in Sydney yesterday. Picture: Jane Dempster

Sacked Australian women’s soccer team coach Alen Stajcic has broken his silence, declaring his career has been left in tatters and vowing legal action against soccer chiefs, ahead of a high-stakes FFA board meeting tonight that will canvass how his dumping was handled.

Stajcic was axed as coach of the Matildas by Football Federation Australia on January 19, just five months before the World Cup ­finals in France.

The 45-year-old, who retains the support of several high-profile Matildas including Sam Kerr and Lisa De Vanna, said “this awful saga” had shattered his family.

“The events of the last few weeks have devastated both me and my family,’’ Stajcic said in a statement obtained by The Australian ahead of its release this morning.

“My career is in tatters and my reputation has been ruined. My family must now live out this daily drama in the public eye.”

Alen Stajcic with the Matildas. Picture: Getty Images

The shockwaves from the decision to sack Stajcic are still being felt by the sport’s powerbrokers, with speculation brewing at the weekend there could be a review of key management positions, ­including that of FFA chief executive David Gallop.

The head body, which says it based its decision to sack him on two surveys filled in by Matildas players and staff as well as its own investigation, has cited confidentiality arrangements to justify its silence. Stajcic confirmed in his statement he had taken legal ­advice, including “potential action on defamation and breach of contractual obligations by Football Federation Australia”.

“I state categorically that during my time as Matildas coach, I never witnessed, never partici­pated in and never acquiesced to the participation of others in any impropriety or misconduct relating to players or the Matildas set-up,” Stajcic said.

“Despite repeated requests, I still do not know the specific ­reason[s] why my employment was terminated.”

Stajcic, who had remarkable success with the Matildas during his five years in charge, joined widespread calls for an independent inquiry into the processes surrounding his sacking.