Joe Montemurro has been officially appointed as the new head coach of the Australian women’s national team, taking the reins of the Matildas ahead of a pivotal year that includes the Women’s Asian Cup on home soil in 2026.
The 55-year-old Australian returns home after a stint with French powerhouse Lyon Women, succeeding interim coach Tom Sermanni, who stepped in following Tony Gustavsson’s departure after a disappointing Olympic campaign in Paris last year.
While the Matildas have emerged as one of Australia’s most beloved sporting teams, their recent deep runs at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2023 Women’s World Cup haven’t translated into silverware. Montemurro, a proven winner at the highest level, has been tasked with changing that narrative.
Describing his appointment as “the honour of a lifetime,” Montemurro spoke of his ambition to take the team to new heights.
“To be given the opportunity to lead one of the most exciting teams in the world, and to do it at home, is quite emotional,” he said during his unveiling in Sydney.
“Everything is in place for us to succeed. Is the Asian Cup winnable? Absolutely. I want to win—and I want us to win playing a beautiful brand of football.”
Montemurro’s coaching journey began modestly in Victoria’s state leagues before he took charge of Melbourne Victory’s women’s team in 2014. The following year, he moved to rivals Melbourne City and guided the club to two W-League titles.
His rise continued with a move to England in 2017, where he led Arsenal Women to an FA Women’s League Cup title within six months and followed up with a Women’s Super League championship in 2019. He then moved to Juventus, claiming a Serie A and Coppa Italia double in 2021 during a three-year stint in Turin.
Most recently, Montemurro took the helm at Lyon Women, replacing Champions League-winning manager Sonia Bompastor. His exit from the French club was confirmed on Sunday, clearing the path for him to take up the Matildas role—one for which Football Australia had long earmarked him as the top candidate.
With a star-studded squad including Chelsea striker Sam Kerr and Arsenal’s Champions League-winning trio—Steph Catley, Kyra Cooney-Cross, and Caitlin Foord—expectations will be high for Montemurro to deliver long-awaited success.
“We’re at a truly exciting moment for the Matildas, with the Women’s Asian Cup just nine months away,” said Football Australia interim CEO Heather Garriock.
“We expect this team to be focused, driven, and ready to show the world just how far they can go.”
