Football Australia boss James Johnson says his organisation will “look under every single rock” in their search for the next Matildas coach and has targeted the 2026 Asian Cup as their priority in the next four-year cycle.
Johnson returned to Australia on Sunday after the Matildas failed to progress beyond the group stage at the Paris Olympics.
“We didn’t do as well as what we wanted to do, I think we need to own that as a team and as an organisation,” Johnson said.
Shortly after their last-game loss to the United States, FA announced head coach Tony Gustavsson would not have his contract renewed.
“We are going to look both locally and also globally, we are going to look under every single rock and ultimately we are going to look for a coach that can hopefully win us the women’s Asian Cup and also compete in ‘27 [World Cup] and ’28 [Olympics],” Johnson said.
“But also a coach that can bring the next generation of young players through, that’s something of course that is going to be a priority over the next cycle.”
Johnson wouldn’t be drawn on potential candidates with Ante Juric, Casey Stoney, Joe Montemurro, Tanya Oxtoby, and Emily Husband among the names being thrown around.
He said there was no plan at present to appoint an interim coach as the Matildas wouldn’t play again until October.
“I would like to get a coach in and soon as possible but the reality is we want to get the right appointment and we do have time,” Johnson said.
“If that takes a month great, if that takes three to six months then that’s fine as well.
“Any coach that is at the top of their game that are at coaching at club land or at national federations around the world, they are on the radar.”
Australia will not play another competitive match until hosting the Asian Cup in early 2026.
Johnson said there was seven FIFA-mandated windows before that tournament in which Australia would play friendlies.
“The next window for the Matildas will be in Europe but then we are going to bring the team back for the leadup to the Asian Cup, to play as many good nations as possible, so the team is ready to go,” Johnson added.
“We want to be playing against teams that we’re going to be meeting at the Asian Cup. We need to normalise playing Japan and Korea and China, because ultimately if we are going to win the Asian Cup these are the teams we are going to need to beat.
“Also we’re not just looking at being a top football nation in Asia, we want to be a top global nation.
“That means we are not just going to be focusing on Asian teams, but also the best teams in the world, just like we did in the leadup to the women’s World Cup.
Reflecting on Gustavsson’s tenure, Johnson said the Swede had arguably overseen the biggest and best ever period for Australian football, with unparalleled fourth-placed efforts at the Olympics and World Cup.
“As a cycle I would say it was a success, but if you look at the Olympic campaign in Paris we didn’t go as far as we wanted the team to go,” Johnson said.
“I think the departure of Tony is the right time, Its good for Football Australia and the CommBank Matildas, but it was also good for Tony.
“We felt that Tony had got as much out of this team as he could, so we need some fresh eyes and fresh ideas to come in and really rejuvenate the team and set ourselves up for the next cycle.”
