Football Australia has today confirmed the appointment of Tom Sermanni as interim head coach of the CommBank Matildas, effective immediately.
Sermanni is the longest serving coach of the CommBank Matildas having previously coached the team from 1994-1997 and 2005-2012. The Football Australia Hall of Fame inducted coach brings a wealth of experience to the role as Football Australia continues the recruitment process for a permanent replacement for Tony Gustavsson.
Football Australia CEO James Johnson said: “We are delighted to welcome Tom (Sermanni) back to the CommBank Matildas program. “With over three decades of football experience in Australia and internationally, his extensive knowledge of the global women’s football landscape, the local Australian game and his previous success with the team make him the ideal candidate to guide the CommBank Matildas through this transitional period.”
Sermanni’s appointment comes as the CommBank Matildas prepare for two matches in their upcoming October FIFA Women’s International Window including against Olympic bronze medallists Germany. During this period, his focus will be on getting the squad ready for these fixtures while ensuring their cohesion and competitiveness are maintained.
Upon accepting the interim position, Sermanni stated: “It’s an honour to return to the CommBank Matildas, even in this interim capacity. I’m looking forward to working with this talented group of players and helping to ensure a smooth transition as Football Australia continues its search for a permanent head coach. My immediate priority is to prepare the team for the upcoming International Window.”
Football Australia has confirmed that the process for selecting a permanent head coach is ongoing, with the organisation committed to finding the best possible candidate to lead the CommBank Matildas for the next cycle and into the future.
Johnson added: “We are conducting a thorough and comprehensive search for our next permanent head coach. Tom’s appointment allows us the time and space to make the right decision for the long-term future of the CommBank Matildas’ program, while ensuring our team remains in capable hands for the upcoming international fixtures.”
Sermanni will begin his duties immediately, working closely with the existing coaching staff and Football Australia’s high-performance team to maintain the CommBank Matildas’ preparation for upcoming fixtures. His experience in tournament settings, such as FIFA Women’s World Cups and Olympic tournaments will be particularly valuable for upcoming international fixtures.
Sermanni will temporarily take a leave of absence from his role as Head of Women’s Football at Western Sydney Wanderers FC to fully dedicate his time to the interim head coach position with the CommBank Matildas.
Tom Sermanni’s coaching career spans several decades and continents, showcasing his versatility and expertise in women’s football:
³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Teams:
• Australia: Sermanni had two stints with the Matildas (1994-1997 and 2005-2012), leading them to quarter-finals in the 2007 and 2011 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ and the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup title.
• United States: Head Coach of US Women’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Team from 2013 to 2014, maintaining an unbeaten record in his first year and winning the 2013 Algarve Cup.
• New Zealand: Sermanni led the Football Ferns from 2018 until after the Tokyo 2020™ Olympics.
• Canada: He served as a technical consultant and assistant coach for the Canadian Women’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Team, including during the 2015 edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™
Club Level:
• Australia: Sermanni coached several Australian clubs, including Canberra Metros and Canberra Cosmos.
• Japan: For two years he worked as an assistant to J-League 1 side Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
• United States: He worked in the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA) as an assistant coach for the Bay Area CyberRays and head coach for the New York Power and Orlando Pride.
• ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Women’s Soccer League (NWSL): Sermanni was the first head coach of Orlando Pride from 2016 to 2018.
International Recognition:
• Sermanni was named AFC Coach of the Year in 2007.
• He has been involved in six FIFA Women’s World Cups in various capacities.
