Milicic man to steady the ship
STALWART defender Clare Polkinghorne says new Matildas coach Ante Milicic has the full support of the squad despite ongoing fallout from the sacking of Alen Stajcic.
Milicic and under-fire Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop fronted media in Brisbane yesterday ahead of the Cup of Nations tournament, a key part of preparations for this year’s Women’s World Cup in France.
As part of a unified front, Polkinghorne and fellow Matildas Hayley Raso and Mackenzie Arnold were also at Suncorp Stadium.
The lack of transparency surrounding the alleged culture problems that led to Stajcic’s shock axing last month continues to haunt FFA.
Polkinghorne previously came out in support of Stajcic, and again yesterday said she was surprised at his removal.
The Brisbane Roar captain suggested the time had come for the Matildas to focus on the task of winning the World Cup.
“Ante’s here now, and we’ve got a very important period coming up and there’s not long until our first game in France,” Polkinghorne said.
“You can see his professionalism, his determination and how focused he is on what we want to achieve as a group, and I’m sure that will be transferred over the playing group.
“There was a lot of speculation about the group and it’s important we don’t lose focus as a team. Everyone here wants to win the World Cup.”
Milicic had no doubt he was the right man for the job despite never coaching in women’s football and his re- cent failed attempt to guide the Young Socceroos to the under-20 World Cup.
“I’m com- ing in with fresh eyes, with no preconceived thoughts,” said Milicic, a former Socceroos assistant who was part of Australia’s coaching staff at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cups.
“I’ve been around Australian sporting teams for a while now and I know what the environment needs to be. I know how we need to prepare for a World Cup.
“The girls are going to have my trust from the start. I’ll set the standards.”
Gallop maintained his silence on the reasons for Stajcic’s sacking.
“We felt a change was necessary,” he said.
“That’s a hard decision but sometimes circumstances require hard decisions,” adding he remained fully committed to his job despite the FFA board being set to conduct a review into Stajcic’s sacking.”
Through a spokesman, Stajcic said: “The lack of clarity and transparency continues.
“Mr Gallop’s comments have also served to further encourage ongoing innuendo and speculation, increasing the damage to my reputation and the harm to my family.
“I wish Ante Milicic and the Matildas all the very best, but the FFA must be held to account for their actions.”
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