Matildas put faith in Football Australia not to get it wrong when appointed a new coach for the national women’s team

Having being asked about who should be their next coach, the Matildas say it’s now up to Football Australia to make the right appointment.

The Matildas have put the onus on Football Australia to ”make the right decision” in finding a coach to lift them back into the top 10 of the FIFA women’s world rankings.

Under interim mentor Tom Sermanni, the Matildas return to action for the first time since their disappointing Olympic Games campaign when they meet Switzerland on Saturday morning (AEDT) in Zurich.

Sermanni, who coached the Matildas from 2005 to 2012, is set to be in charge for all of the team’s packed end-of-year schedule of six games across October, November and December.

However, the search for a permanent replacement for departed Swede Tony Gustavsson continues.

FA officials consulted with the Matildas’ leadership group – including vice-captain Ellie Carpenter – to get its thoughts on who should replace Gustavsson.

And while Carpenter seemed appreciative of being given a chance to give her opinion on who should be the team’s next permanent coach, she said it was FA’s decision to make.

“Initially, we had some conversations, but at the end of the day, we trust them for that process and to make the right decision,” the Lyon star said.

“For us, it’s simple. We want a coach that can bring the best out of all of us players to play the best football and to get results.”

Tom Sermanni is in charge of the Matildas in an interim capacity. Picture: Steve Pohlner

Carpenter said the Matildas were “not satisfied” with their slide down to 15th in the world rankings, which leaves them behind fellow Asian Football Confederation nations Japan (7th) and North Korea (9th).

“We’re 15th, and results for us now onwards matter, especially leading into the (2027) World Cup with rankings, so we’re out to do a job, we’re out to perform, and we want to get us back in the top 10,” she said.

Carpenter was confident that Sermanni would immediately help restore confidence among the Matildas ahead of Saturday’s game and next Tuesday’s friendly against Germany in Duisburg.

“Getting this group back together and getting us playing the football we’re known for, we’re good at, the Australian way, that’s most important,” she said.

“These games against Switzerland and Germany are the perfect opportunity to do that.

“They’re great teams, and for us, it’s about playing with confidence, playing with freedom, and I think Tommy is going to allow us to do that.

“He’s come in, he’s implemented what he thinks this team is world-class at, what our strong attributes are, so I’m really looking forward to these two upcoming games because it’s a chance for us to get back out there and represent our country, and also start this new cycle.

“The girls really want to buy into that and get back to winning ways. We have so many attacking, world-class players and great defenders as well, so (Sermanni) has got to utilise us the best to get those results.”

Originally published as Matildas put faith in Football Australia not to get it wrong when appointed a new coach for the national women’s team