It is the equivalent of the Socceroos’ coach being offered the chance to take over Spain or Brazil.
So when the world No.1 women’s football team, the United States, came knocking, Matildas’ coach Tom Sermanni had an offer he couldn’t refuse.
“It’s all about timing and, with Australian women’s football quite settled at the moment, the timing of this challenge to coach the No.1 women’s football team in the world was at the right time for me to accept,” Sermanni said on Wednesday.
Sermanni’s eight years in the top job in Australian women’s football has brought on-field success – most famously winning the 2010 Asian Cup.
It was Australia’s first football trophy win in Asia.
The Matildas also made the past two World Cup quarter-finals under Sermanni, and are in the world’s top 10.
But perhaps his greatest achievement is the quality young talent he has left behind, with Sermanni’s successor set to have a most-talented batch of players to work with.
Sermanni has previously coached club football in the US, and replaces Olympic Games-winning coach Pia Sundhage, who is returning to her native Sweden.
“He has the knowledge, experience and vision to take on the challenge of keeping our team at the top of the world,” US Soccer Federation president Sunil Gulati said.
“He has a tremendous passion for the game, knows the American players, understands our system and knows the process of preparing a team for a World Cup tournament.”
US player Abby Wambach told The Associated Press that Sermanni would have plenty to work with.
“This team is scary good, and we need to have someone who can put all the Xs and Os together,” she said.
Sermanni will guide the Matildas in their East Asian Cup qualifying tournament in China from November 20 to 24 before taking up the US job early next year.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
What if we celebrated all of the achievements big and small, and weeded out those hell-bent on bringing down a game that is doing a hell of a lot right?
The Matildas have been dealt a horrible hand as they strive to win their first Olympic medal. The draw for the women's and men's…
The ruthless Matildas have thrashed Uzbekistan 10-0 to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in style, with Michelle Heyman scoring four goals to put…
In a few hours, the Matildas will round off a successful pair of matches against Uzbekistan with a convincing win and be qualified for…
Michelle Heyman has delighted in scoring her first international goal in almost eight years to inspire a 3-0 victory over Uzbekistan and drag the…
Australia's captain and star striker Sam Kerr has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Chelsea's warm weather training camp in Morocco, the…
