Former US assistant coach Tony Gustavsson has been appointed Matildas coach.Credit:Getty Images
The long-term assistant to US coach Jill Ellis will take the reins of a national team for the first time in his career but said he had enough experience to help the Matildas reach their goals.
"I have always said that the Matildas have the potential to be one of the best teams in the world and that is one of the reasons that I wanted to get on board with this job,"Gustavsson said."I have been in the pressure cooker a lot of times and in environments that demand success. These experiences will be beneficial as we do this together with the fans,the stakeholders,the players,and the staff as a team."
Gustavsson spent five years alongside Ellis during which the US won the 2015 and 2019 World Cups.
At club level,he won the Swedish league with Tyreso in 2012 and reached the women's Champions League final in 2014,losing in extra-time to Wolfsburg. Gustavsson has also experience coaching in men's football,spending two years at the helm of Hammarby in Sweden between 2007 and 2009 and returning to the club this year as part of their coaching staff. He will take charge of the Matildas in January after finishing his stint with Hammarby.
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"Tony arrives at the Westfield Matildas and FFA boasting a wealth of experiences in the international game and a strong track record of success,"FFA chief James Johnson said."Having worked closely with some of the best female footballers and coaches in the world and,through his time with the USWNT,he has developed an excellent understanding of what it takes to prepare for and perform in the intense,high-expectation environments of major international tournaments."
Sources close to the discussions said Gustavsson was selected ahead of Australian-based Italian coach Carolina Morace,Arsenal women's Australian coach,Joe Montemurro and Chelsea coach Emma Hayes. Gustavsson's appointment was made by a panel that included former Socceroo Mark Bresciano,former Matildas Amy Duggan and Sarah Walsh,FFA director Remo Nogarotto,FFA technical director Trevor Morgan and Johnson.
"We are delighted to have secured the services of Tony Gustavsson,who has been appointed following a robust and well-governed process,which was administered by a selection panel with strong football acumen and expertise in the women’s game and sport more broadly,"FFA chair Chris Nikou said.
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