August 1 – Tony Gustavsson and the Matildas have parted ways after Australia exited the Olympic football tournament in the first round, Football Australia confirmed on Thursday.
Gustavsson led the Matildas for the last time against the United States last night, a 2-1 defeat prompting Australia’s premature exit from the Olympic Games, and after months of speculation the governing body decided to not renew the Swede’s contract.
It’s the first time in 24 years that the Australians have failed to advance from the group stages.
“It has been a great honour and privilege to have been able to be the head coach of the Matildas over the past four years,” said Gustavsson. “This journey with the team has had many incredible moments and memories that I will forever treasure.”
Last year, the Swede guided Australia to a fourth place at the Women’s World Cup on home soil, leading to an explosion in the popularity of the team, but critics argue that the manager has never maximised the potential of the squad at his disposal.
The Matildas also failed to develop a distinctive style under Gustavsson and often relied on star players like Sam Kerr and Mary Fowler or the team’s never-say-die mentality.
The Australians are now on the lookout for a new manager, with the Women’s Asian Cup high on the agenda.
“As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we will conduct a thorough review of the campaign as we do with all our national teams following the conclusion of tournaments and each cycle,” said Football Federation Australia CEO James Johnson.
“This review will identify areas for improvement and ensure we are well-prepared for future challenges. The process for the recruitment of the Matildas head coach will also commence immediately.”
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