The Matildas are searching for a new head coach following Football Australia’s announcement that Tony Gustavsson’s contract will not be renewed, ending months of speculation.
Gustavsson’s four-year term concluded after the Matildas were unable to advance beyond the group stage at the Paris Olympics.
In a statement, the FA indicated that the decision to part ways with Gustavsson was mutual.
“It has been a tremendous honor to serve as the head coach of the Matildas for the past four years,” Gustavsson expressed in a statement.
“This journey with the team has been filled with remarkable moments and memories that I will always cherish.”
The 50-year-old’s future has been a subject of speculation since last year’s Women’s World Cup on home ground, where he was linked to both the Swedish men’s team and the US women’s national team.
Gustavsson chose to fulfill the final year of his contract with Australia, and in a cruel turn of events, it was the US who nearly dashed the Matildas’ hopes for an Olympic medal with a 2-1 victory early Thursday morning.
Australia maintained a glimmer of hope to advance to the quarter-finals in France as a best third-place finisher, but results from other groups were not in their favor.
This marks the first time in 24 years that Australia has not progressed to the knockout stage of the Games.
The FA’s prompt action aims to attract a high-caliber candidate, although a likely homegrown option—former Melbourne Victory coach Joe Montemurro—has recently signed with French club Lyon.
The FA is optimistic that hosting the 2026 Asian Cup will enhance their appeal to attract a top-tier coach.
Gustavsson informed the Matildas players of his departure following the loss to the US.
His exit signifies the conclusion of a phase in which women’s soccer in Australia has experienced significant growth, especially after the Matildas secured a fourth-place finish at the previous World Cup.
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Gustavsson played a key role in developing Clare Hunt, Cortnee Vine, and Kyra Cooney-Cross into integral members of the Matildas, and he endorsed Mackenzie Arnold as his first-choice goalkeeper.
However, these achievements are overshadowed by concerns regarding his overdependence on Australia’s golden generation, the lack of depth in the team, and the Matildas’ struggle to establish a distinct style to compete with top-tier international teams.
Throughout his time as Matildas head coach, Gustavsson did not relocate to Australia, and it remains to be seen if the FA will require future candidates to do so.
“In line with our commitment to ongoing improvement, we will perform a comprehensive review of the campaign as we do with all our national teams at the conclusion of tournaments and cycles,” stated FA chief executive James Johnson.
“This review will highlight areas for enhancement and ensure we are ready for future challenges. We will also initiate the process to recruit a new head coach for the Matildas without delay.”
