Poletti 
New Matildas coach Joe Montemurro at his inaugural press conference in Sydney. Photo supplied by Football Australia
Football Australia ended a 10-month search for a new Matildas coach on Saturday May 31, signing Joe Montemurro to a contract that will run through to the end of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The signing, which was announced on Monday June 2, marked the appointment of the 15th head coach for the women’s national team, and more importantly, an Australian, following the departure of Tony Gustavsson following the 2024 Summer Olympics.
Football Australia Interim CEO Heather Garriock described Montemurro’s appointment as the completion of a worldwide search, and an appointment of a coach who has world-class experience, a deep understanding of the Australian football landscape, and a genuine connection to our national identity.
“Joe has shown an ability to build high-performing teams that play with tactical clarity and attacking intent, and we believe his vision and values are the perfect fit to lead the next era of the CommBank Matildas with professionalism, vision, and distinction,” Garriock said.
“We undertook a considered and rigorous process to ensure we would secure the strongest candidate to lead one of the most beloved national teams. It was about getting the right coach, not the first coach.”
Montemurro said he was humbled by the opportunity to help shape the next chapter of the Matildas.
What’s next?
Montemurro will start in the role on Monday June 16, and his immediate tasks will be to select a squad and contest the June and July international window with the Matildas to contest two games each against Slovenia and Panama.
With up to nine games remaining before Montemurro will have to select his Asian Cup squad, these four games are absolutely crucial, and could represent half of his tenure if only two games are scheduled in the October window, where either two or three games could be played.
Listen to the latest episode of The Dubcast, Round Ball Australia’s Women’s Football podcast on Spotify, Apple, or watch on YouTube, with new episodes every Wednesday.
The Asian Cup
Montemurro identified in his inaugural press conference that the Asian Cup is winnable for the Matildas.
Given the tournament is being hosted in Australia, fan expectations will be high for the Tillies to win the tournament, but it’s not the most important part of Montemurro’s initial cycle in charge, even though it is a trophy they can win.
Although the Asian Cup is important, because Australia cannot qualify for the 2027 Women’s World Cup without making the knockouts, with this being the last cycle that World Cup qualification is tied to the continental tournament in women’s football.
There are six guaranteed spots for the AFC in 2027, with two play-in spots available, meaning if they make the knockout stages, they will have a path to the World Cup, and a semi-final berth would ensure qualification.
As the host nation, they should receive a favourable draw and avoid the region’s heavyweights until it is crunch-time, but results are not a given, and one slip-up could completely change the Matildas fortunes.
But that is a future problem for Montemurro to deal with.
Right now, the vibes are high that the Matildas have finally got their coach after a lengthy search period, even if the vibes carry a slightly anxious tone as well over the future.