Matildas coach lifts the lid on Sam Kerr 'setback' as previously unknown details come to light
Kerr won't return to the field in 2024.
Matildas interim coach Tom Sermanni has backflipped on his own comments about Aussie star Sam Kerr's injury situation declaring this week that it is "difficult" to estimate when she will return to the pitch. Earlier this week Kerr announced her fiancee Kristie Mews is expecting their first child but it didn't take long for fans to ask when she would be back playing football.
Kerr has been sidelined with an ACL injury since January and appears still a while away from returning despite Sermanni last week insisting the 31-year-old’s rehabilitation was going "really, really, really well". The Matildas forward mentioned on a BBC podcast last month that she had a "little bit more going on than an ACL", a revelation that came out of nowhere to Sermanni who said at the latest Matildas squad announcement: "If you’ve heard that, you’re telling me something I’ve not heard".
However, this week, when the Asian Cup-winning coach was asked again about Kerr, Sermanni said she had suffered a few setbacks in recent months. "During her rehab, there were a couple of little setbacks probably two or three months ago," Sermanni told SEN.
"She’s overcome them now and she’s making a good recovery and is on track. But she just wanted to make sure that she didn’t rush back as well. She had that little setback, she’s back on track. Everything at this stage is going well and she should be back ready to go by January.”
Sermanni's revelation came just hours before Chelsea coach Sonia Bompastor, Kerr's club coach, said the Aussie striker had returned to training but was still a fair way off playing, shutting down any talks she could be back playing for Chelsea this year. "Sam is doing really well," Bompastor said.
"She’s on the pitch. Not practising with the team yet, but certainly, by the end of the year, she will be able to practise maybe with the team. It’s difficult for me to give you a good timeline and the right date, but she’s in a good place. She’s confident. When I look at her and her rehab process, she’s doing really well and progressing day by day. I think (everything is) really good, but too soon to tell a date."
New Matildas boss to face early baptism of fire
Whoever the next full-time Matildas coach is can expect a baptism of fire as Australia is set to debut at the SheBelieves Cup in 2025. The competition will pit the Matildas up against football powerhouses Japan, the United States and Colombia.
Football Australia continues to take its time to find the right person to be Tony Gustavsson's permanent replacement. But it is expected the new coach will be in place by the first window of 2025, which could potentially also mark Kerr's international return from injury.
The Matildas will travel to the United States for the 10th edition of the prestigious international round-robin tournament, kicking off their campaign against world No.4 Japan on Thursday 20 February at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. They will then face world No.1 the US on Sunday 23 February at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona and world No.21 Colombia on Wednesday 26 February at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California.
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"This is a tremendous opportunity for the Matildas to compete against some of the world's best teams on an international platform," Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said in a statement. "The SheBelieves Cup aligns with our vision to challenge the team in high-stakes environments as we continue to elevate the Matildas and build towards the next FIFA Women's World Cup.
"The invitation to this respected tournament speaks to the high regard of the Matildas internationally. With the line-up of US women's national team, Japan, and Colombia, the meaningful experience gained from being a part of the top-quality competition will be an invaluable set of matches for our AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026 preparations.
"The mixture of styles, world-class players, and replication of a tournament-style playing schedule provides an opportunity for the further development and roster evolution on the road to 2026 and the next cycle." The Matildas, under interim coach Tom Sermanni, next have two friendlies against Brazil followed by another pair against Taiwan across the extended November-December international window.
