World beater coach wanted
FOOTBALL Federation Australia CEO James Johnson has demanded Ante Milicic’s successor turns the Matildas into genuine contenders to win the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on home soil.
As Matildas players continue to express their gratitude to Milicic, who has left the job to honour his contract with ALeague newcomer Macarthur FC, Johnson said the time had come for the team to “optimise their potential”.
“The Matildas mean a lot to all Australians and have the ability to unite the nation, so appointing a coach who believes in both the on and offfield vision for the Matildas will be paramount,” Johnson said.
“The collective jubilation which followed the successful announcement of our bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 (with New Zealand) was there for all to see, and we want to replicate this feeling for all Australians.”
Under Milicic, the Matildas reached the round of 16 at last year’s Women’s World Cup before being eliminated in a penalty shootout by Norway.
“The Matildas are ranked number seven in the world, we are an ambitious football nation and we have a team full of winners, so the coach must be able to take us to the next level,” Johnson said. “If we want to be the best in the world, we will need to consider the best in the world.”
Johnson said no time would be wasted in finding a replacement for Milicic, but promised that a rash decision would not be made.
Contenders to replace Milicic include Arsenal women’s coach Joe Montemurro, Sydney FC W-League coach Ante Juric and former Brisbane Roar A-League assistant coach Ross Aloisi.
Star Matildas midfielder Elise Kellond-Knight, sidelined in Sweden after tearing her ACL, said it was an “honour” to play for Milicic.
“We learnt so much and grew incredibly as a group. You have everyone’s respect,” Kellond-Knight posted on Instagram.