Matildas coach Tom Sermanni hits out after questions about Sam Kerr comeback, captaincy

The Matildas have moved on from Sam Kerr and her legal saga, with coach Tom Sermanni hitting out after being peppered with questions on the missing star ahead of the SheBelieves Cup.

There has been no team discussion about Sam Kerr’s captaincy or her imminent return to the Australian squad with interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni labelling it “irrelevant” to the SheBelieves Cup.

The Matildas will face Asian opponent Japan in round one of the friendly football tournament in Houston on Friday morning (AEDT).

While not in camp Kerr has continued to dominate the headlines following her not guilty finding for racial harassment of a police officer by a London court a week ago.

Sermanni said the injured captain hadn’t been a specific focus of any team meeting at the camp.

“It hasn’t really been on the radar,” Sermanni said.

Injured Australia's captain Sam Kerr will miss the SheBelieves Cup. Picture: AFP

“We’ve just come into camp and there hasn’t really been much time to do much, but the team is in good spirits, upbeat and if there’s anything to be discussed about that then we’ll discuss it at some stage during the tournament.”

Sermanni still wouldn’t be pushed on sharing his opinion on whether or not the injured Chelsea striker should be handed back the captain’s armband on her return.

“The most important part is that we get Sam healthy as quickly and as safely as possible and get her back on the field,” Sermanni said.

“The captaincy issue is quite irrelevant to me because by the time she comes back into the team I might not be here. There’s really no point commenting on it.

Interim Matildas coach Tom Sermanni speaks on the Kerr issue. Picture: Getty

“Whatever decision gets made, who makes and who is involved, I really don’t know at the moment because it’s really completely and utterly not part of our focus.

“At this minute in time Sam is injured. She has been injured for 13 months and the team is just getting on with its normal business.

“So it’s not part of the conversation, when it does become part of the conversation, then I’ll know more but at the moment it is irrelevant.”

Sermanni, who gave Kerr her national team debut as a teen, said he had been in touch with her since the court case closed.

“We’ve been in touch through text but it’s important for me at the moment, it’s been a pretty long week for Sam, the last thing she needs is people constantly badgering her at this time,” Sermanni said.

Sermanni says he has been in regular contact with Kerr regarding her injury recovery. Picture: Getty

“But we’ve had some contact, she knows we are thinking of her. The physios are keeping in touch with Chelsea, the line of communication is very much open.”

As for the match Sermanni kept his plans close to his chest.

”We obviously want to put a very strong team out to start the tournament against Japan but the same time, in this particular tournament, where there’s short turn around games and travel involved it’s very important for us to utilise the whole squad,” Sermanni said.

“It’s our intent to make sure that everybody that’s in our squad gets some game time during this tournament and also that we send players back to their clubs in a healthy state.”

Matildas are due to play Japan in the opening round of the SheBelieves Cup at 9am on Friday (AEDT).

Originally published as Matildas coach Tom Sermanni hits out after questions about Sam Kerr comeback, captaincy