FA boss James Johnson hits back at ‘silly’ criticism and Kerr rumours after Matildas Olympics shocker

Football Australia boss James Johnson is looking for answers after the worst Olympic campaign in Matildas history as he hits back at criticism and denies rift with star striker Sam Kerr.

Football Australia CEO James Johnson has hit back at “silly” criticism of the Matildas, while denying a rift with captain Sam Kerr as he looks for answers following the side’s worst ever performance at an Olympic Games.

After arriving back in Australia from France on Sunday morning, Johnson also attempted to hose down speculation coach Tony Gustavsson had lost the dressing room.

Gustavsson and Football Australia agreed to part ways just 10 hours after the Matildas were bundled out in the group stage in Paris following defeats to Germany and the United States.

A wild 6-5 win over Zambia produced the only points of a hugely anticipated campaign following a successful home World Cup in 2023.

However, Johnson said criticism over the well-funded Matildas being “pampered” was out of line.

“The narrative of pampering is very disappointing to hear,” he said on Sunday. “The reality is, we set the Matildas’ program up the same as what we set the Socceroos up.

“These are a great group of women, they’re great footballers, they play at the biggest clubs in the world, and quite frankly they deserve to have a program as good as the Socceroos.

“The reality is, if you compare ourselves to the United States women’s program, they’re investing 300 per cent more than what we’re doing.

“They’re not being pampered, they’re being treated like professionals.”

The Matildas were knocked out after a group stage loss to the USA in Marseilles. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Football Australia has been left scrambling for answers as the Matildas finished third in Group B and were one of just four teams in the 12 team tournament not to make the knockout stages.

Johnson said he expected criticism of the team’s on-field performance, but felt the off-field scrutiny was harsh.

“We are in the big leagues now,” he said. “This is a national brand and people care about it, so the scrutiny’s fine. We need to be scrutinised and they need to be ready for this.

“It shows how strong the Matildas are in the Australian community and the mainstream at the moment.

“When it comes to the language around pampering, it’s silly. They’re not being pampered.”

Johnson denied a rift between the governing body and the Matildas’ star striker and captain Sam Kerr.

Kerr injured her ACL in January and was officially ruled out of the Olympics in May.

The Chelsea striker’s leadership during last year’s World Cup campaign is considered a major driving force behind the team’s run to the semi-finals and an eventual fourth-placed finish.

Sam Kerr missed the Olympics through injury. Picture: Getty Images

Kerr has been unusually silent on social media during the Olympics though, and hasn’t posted anything about the Matildas’ campaign to her 1.8 million Instagram followers.

“No, I’m in touch with Sam right now,” Johnson said when pressed about a fallout with Kerr. “She’s doing her rehab at the moment, so she’s close to getting back on the field for Chelsea.

“As soon as she’s available to come back in the team, we’re looking forward to welcoming Sam back.”

Johnson was also forced to deny rumours Gustavsson had lost the dressing room after reports emerged of player discontent over the coach’s tactics during the World Cup and Olympic campaign.

“I’ve seen some of these rumours go around, but I don’t think that’s correct at all,” he said. “After every camp and every major tournament, there are feedback channels that players give to the Federation on an anonymous basis.

“I can categorically say that feedback has not come since the loss to the United States.

“I’ve had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with some of the leadership team and it’s not come up whatsoever.”

Tony Gustavsson and Football Australia parted ways after a dismal Olympics campaign. Picture: Alex Livesey/Getty Images

A search for Gustavsson’s replacement will begin in the next few weeks, with Football Australia to appoint a panel to oversee the appointment.

The immediate focus for the new coach will be on the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, which will be held in Australia.

Johnson confirmed the FA will consider domestic and overseas coaches, and wants a decision to be made as soon as possible, but stressed there isn’t a rush to name Gustavsson’s successor.

“We don’t have a competitive fixture until Q1, 2026,” he said. “We’re going to go out, look abroad, look locally, and we’re going to look for a coach that we believe will set this team up for success over the next cycle.

“If that takes a month, great. If that takes three to six months, then that’s fine as well.”

Originally published as FA boss James Johnson hits back at ‘silly’ criticism and Kerr rumours after Matildas Olympics shocker