Latest news with #HeatherGarriock
ABC News
a day ago
- General
- ABC News
Montemurro named Matilda's coach
Samantha Donovan: Well, the long-running search for a new coach of Australia's favourite national sporting team is over. Joe Montemurro has been picked to lead the Matildas after a 10-month recruitment process. His first game in charge is only a few weeks away and the pressure is on for him to return the Tillys to the form they showed at the Home World Cup nearly two years ago. Myles Houlbrook-Walk prepared this report. Soccer Commentator: Courtney Vine can write the Matildas into history. Cue the party! Myles Houlbrook-Walk: It was an almighty peak for Australia's most popular sporting team. Watched on by millions, they won a thrilling penalty shootout against France and Brisbane to get through to the semi-final of the Women's Football World Cup. But since then, the team has floundered with a poor Olympics and then a long hunt for a new coach. Now, Football Australia is confident they've got the right person for the Matildas. Heather Garriock: We have finally got our man, the right man who will take this team to the next level. I am sure. This moment is now and Joe is the coach. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: They've picked Melbourne-born coach Joe Montemurro. The process to get him into the role took so long, the interim coach Tom Sermani says it was wasted time. Interim Chief Executive Heather Garriock today defended the length of the recruitment process and cited complex contractual arrangements. Heather Garriock: I don't think it's a missed opportunity. Everything happens for a reason. And I believe this moment is now and to have Joe with a French championship under his belt is only going to help the Matildas. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: So, who is Joe Montemurro? He's coached women's teams all over the world. Most recently, he led one of the most successful clubs, Lyon, to become champions of France. Joe Montemurro: I said to myself and obviously my wife and family and said, look, this is now an exciting cycle for the Matildas, the Asian Cup, World Cup, Olympic Games and the opportunity was too good. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: And with the Asian Cup just around the corner in March next year, Montemurro has a good feeling. Joe Montemurro: I can smell some success, so let's hope it goes that way. The only promise I make is that we will play an exciting brand of football and that the integrity and the level and the respect of the Matildas will always be at the top of my thinking. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Amy Duggan played 27 games for the Matildas and believes the playing group is likely to be on board with his appointment. Amy Duggan: The girls will be comfortable with the decision. They'll be excited. And as I said, there's a number of Matildas who've been coached by him previously. So he is very familiar with the culture of Australian football, with a lot of the players and a lot of their history. Myles Houlbrook-Walk: Amy Duggan says there's not much time before Joe Montemurro's first major tournament, the Asian Cup, but it won't just be that tournament that he and the rest of the nation will want to see the Tillys do well in. Amy Duggan: The real work for the Asian Cup starts now. Players will be vying for places and what that means for the next four year cycle. Because it's not just the Asian Cup. He'll also have a World Cup and an Olympics over the next four years, too. So, yeah, Joe will hit the ground running. There's no doubt about that. And with the success that he's had previously, I'm hopeful that that will continue to be the blueprint for what's going to happen with the Matildas moving forward. Samantha Donovan: That's former Matildas player Amy Duggan. That report from Myles Houlbrook-Walk.
News.com.au
2 days ago
- General
- News.com.au
NEW Tillies boss boasts European success
Football: Brand new Australia Matildas coach Joe Montemurro and Football Australia's interim CEO Heather Garriock spoke to the media after announcing a brand new era for the Matildas.
ABC News
2 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Joe Montemurro to coach Matildas after 10-month search to replace Tony Gustavsson
The 10-month search for a new Matildas coach is officially over. Joe Montemurro has been unveiled as Tony Gustavsson's replacement after an exhaustive search for the new head of the Australian women's football team. The 55-year-old Australian leaves Lyon after steering the team to the women's French title, but falling short of a UEFA Champions League final appearance after going down to the Steph Catley-led Arsenal in the semifinal. Montemurro has overseen successful campaigns at Arsenal, Juventus and Melbourne City, and has strong relationships with some of Australia's biggest stars. "Joe brings world-class experience, a deep understanding of the Australian football landscape, and a genuine connection to our national identity," Football Australia interim CEO Heather Garriock said. "Importantly, he has spent the last decade coaching at the very highest levels of the women's game in Europe and brings with him an unparalleled understanding of what is required to compete and succeed at the top of modern football. "Joe has shown an ability to build high-performing teams that play with tactical clarity and attacking intent, and we believe his vision and values are the perfect fit to lead the next era of the Matildas with professionalism, vision, and distinction." The announcement means tonight's Matildas friendly against Argentina will be Tom Sermanni's final game at the helm as interim coach.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Football Australia confirms RECORD deficit of $8.5million - after revenue grew to $124million in 2024
Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac has admitted he is frustrated after the national governing body recorded an $8.5million loss in 2024 - but is confident of future 'continued improvement.' The substantial deficit comes despite FA's revenue growing to $124million last year, with the figure confirmed at an annual general meeting on May 23. Isaac was also unanimously re-elected as chairman - before revealing FA has invested in 'enhanced financial strategy, management and governance systems' to address their financial challenges. In terms of the record $8.5million loss, Isaac pointed to a myriad of reasons, notably heavier investments in national youth teams and $4.1million owed from Australian Professional Leagues, the organisation who run the A-Leagues. 'We are not satisfied and (will) look towards continued improvement,' Isaac said. 'That is our obligation to grassroots football and all our football stakeholders.' The $8.5 million deficit also comes after James Johnson's shock resignation as FA chief executive officer earlier this month. Former Matildas star Heather Garriock has since been appointed interim CEO at Football Australia. Isaac believes Garriock offers 'an unmatched passion for the game, deep football knowledge, executive acumen and a clear vision for the future.' 'We are confident in her ability to lead Football Australia with strength, unity and a mindset of service that reflects the values of our entire football family,' he said. In his chairman's report, Isaac stated he was 'happy' with the $124million in revenue - before stressing it is vital 'there continue to be opportunities to increase the value of our brands and commercial activities to help reinvestment into our game from national teams and especially to the grassroots.' Isaac also wants to see a 'football ecosystem that is united, resilient and ready for the future.' In the short and long term, the FA are tipped to announce Joe Montemurro as the new Matildas coach in June, support the Socceroos' World Cup qualification campaign, and deliver a successful AFC Women's Asian Cup on home soil next year. Focus will also be placed on laying the foundation for a national second-tier competition, to be known as the Australian Championship. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Johnson was recently appointed to a new role in Canadian football as chief executive of Canada Soccer Business. Johnson will oversee the sport's commercial operations ahead of their home World Cup in 2026, to be also co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
Sydney Morning Herald
23-05-2025
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Football Australia posts record $8.5 million loss … but CEO says Socceroos, Matildas won't be impacted
Football Australia says grassroots and national team programs will not be affected by the posting of a record $8.5 million loss - but interim chief executive Heather Garriock has hinted that the federation could be set to shed some jobs. FA's annual general meeting was held on Friday, with Anter Isaac – the only candidate up for election – retaining not only his place on the board but his position as chair. But Isaac said he was 'not satisfied' with FA's financial results, which come despite record revenues of $124 million, and following the sudden departure of James Johnson as chief executive after a five-and-a-half year stint in the job. Isaac attributed the loss to heavier investments in national youth teams and associated travel costs, FA's unpopular new digital registration platform PlayFootball v2.0, and an 'expected credit loss' of $4.1 million, the vast majority of which is money owed by the Australian Professional Leagues, the operators of the A-Leagues, from what sources say is a bigger debt to the federation of over $11 million – although FA would not go into detail about that credit loss figure or what is behind it. That money is not expected to be recovered – but is not a write-off, Isaac insisted – although there are disagreements between the two bodies about money that is apparently owed the other way. 'I can tell you that our relationship with the APL ... is the one of complete cooperation, collaboration,' he said. 'We are working hand-in-hand with them to not only on strategic initiatives that will help the game prosper at the professional level and grassroots, but also dealing with some historical matters that we're very close to resolving. It's a very positive relationship at the moment, the best that I can remember in a long time. 'We have zero concerns about the commercial relationships we have with APL. Our relationship with APL is probably characterised in two ways. There's the commercial relationship and then there's the strategic relationship. On both counts, it's very strong. It's positive and improving all the time.'
