Matildas await word on mystery man Milicic

FOOTBALL CHLOE Logarzo doesn’t even know what Ante Milicic looks like, let alone the details of his football philosophy.

But she and her fellow Matildas will get a pretty good idea very soon if, as expected, Milicic is named interim coach up to and including the World Cup.

It’s believed an initially lukewarm Milicic has travelled back to Australia from his Croatia base with the view of formalising and then announcing his temporary appointment early this week in time for the Cup of Nations starting against New Zealand in Sydney in 10 days.

Milicic was approached by his current employer Football Federation Australia about replacing Alen Stajcic and, after a strong interview, is the preferred option ahead of two overseas-based coaches including Czech Jitka Klimkova.

The job is viewed by some as a poisoned chalice given the events of the past month and it’s understood he had to be persuaded to consider the role, one that would still leave him free to sign with new A-League franchise Macarthur South West United ahead of season 2020-21 should he choose.

Logarzo said she knew next to nothing about the 44-yearold former Socceroo, who was Ange Postecoglou’s Socceroos right-hand man but is largely unproven as a head coach, especially in the realm of women’s football.

“I don’t know what he looks like,” said Logarzo, who suffered a shin injury during Saturday’s W-League grand final and is racing to be fit for the Cup of Nations.

“I know he’s in FFA, I know he’s with the Socceroos. I heard he’s a really good guy and he’s similar to Staj so it should be good. Hopefully it’s a good fit.

“I don’t just want to rush into things to be honest, but it would be nice to get a coach in, especially before the three games we’re playing.

“I hope the nation kind of understands a new coach coming in, how we go in the first three games might be a big ‘how ya going’.”