Looking Far and Wide for the Next Matildas Coach

Football Australia boss James Johnson states that the organization will exhaust all avenues in their search for the next Matildas coach, with a focus on the 2026 Asian Cup in the upcoming four-year cycle.

Following the Matildas’ elimination in the group stage at the Paris Olympics, Johnson returned to Australia on Sunday.

“We acknowledge that we did not perform as well as we had hoped, and we must take responsibility as a team and as an organization,” Johnson commented.

After the team’s final-game loss to the United States, FA announced that head coach Tony Gustavsson would not be retained.

“Our search will encompass both local and international prospects, leaving no stone unturned to find a coach who can lead us to victory in the women’s Asian Cup and compete in the ’27 World Cup and ’28 Olympics,” Johnson explained. “Additionally, we seek a coach who can foster the development of young players, a key focus for the next cycle.”

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Johnson declined to comment on specific candidates, although names like Ante Juric, Casey Stoney, Joe Montemurro, Tanya Oxtoby, and Emily Husband have been mentioned.

He noted that there are currently no plans to appoint an interim coach since the Matildas’ next match is not until October.

“While we aim to hire a coach promptly, our priority is making the right selection, and we have the time to do so,” Johnson stated. “Top coaches, whether in club or national team settings globally, are on our radar.”

Australia’s next competitive match will be during the Asian Cup in early 2026.

Johnson mentioned that there are seven FIFA-designated windows before the tournament where Australia will engage in friendly matches.

“The upcoming window for the Matildas will be in Europe, but we will bring the team back for the lead-up to the Asian Cup, playing strong nations to prepare adequately,” Johnson added. “Our aim is to face opponents such as Japan, Korea, and China to normalize these encounters as we strive for success in the Asian Cup.”

“Furthermore, we aspire to be a leading nation globally, not just in Asia, so we will also compete against top teams worldwide, similar to our preparation for the Women’s World Cup.”

Reflecting on Gustavsson’s tenure, Johnson acknowledged his achievements, including fourth-place finishes at the Olympics and World Cup.

“While his tenure was successful in many ways, the lack of advancement in the Paris Olympics indicated that a change was necessary for both Football Australia, the CommBank Matildas, and Tony,” Johnson remarked. “We believe fresh perspectives are needed to rejuvenate the team and pave the way for the next cycle.”