Sam Kerr at centre of key detail as Matildas appoint new head coach on interim basis

The Matildas have appointed former mentor Tom Sermanni as the team's interim coach, effective immediately, while they continue their search for the person who will take the job full-time. Football Australia announced on Tuesday that Sermanni, who led the Matildas in two stints between 1994-1997 and 2005-2012, will take the reins for upcoming friendly matches.

As the hunt for Tony Gustavsson's successor narrows down, Sermanni will be in charge when the Matildas play Germany away in October, while they're also expected to face Switzerland in that window. Crucially, Sermanni is the Matildas' longest-serving coach and a former Asian Cup winner, and brought through the majority of the team's 'golden generation' - including Sam Kerr, Caitlin Foord, Emily van Egmond and Tameka Yallop.

"We are delighted to welcome Tom back to the Matildas program," Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said in a statement. "With over three decades of football experience in Australia and internationally, his extensive knowledge of the global women's football landscape, the local Australian game and his previous success with the team make him the ideal candidate to guide the Matildas through this transitional period.

"We are conducting a thorough and comprehensive search for our next permanent head coach. Tom's appointment allows us the time and space to make the right decision for the long-term future of the Matildas' program, while ensuring our team remains in capable hands for the upcoming international fixtures."

Tom Sermanni has had previous success as Matildas coach

Football Australia will begin talks with shortlisted candidates for the full-time role in the coming weeks. Sermanni hasn't indicated whether he's keen on returning to the role in a long-term capacity or not.

The 70-year-old led the Matildas to the quarter-finals of the 2007 and 2011 Women's World Cups, and helped them win the Asian Cup in 2010. He coached the United States from 2013 to 2014, acted as an assistant for Canada in 2015 then led New Zealand from 2018 until the end of the Tokyo Olympics.

Sermanni is the head of women's football at Western Sydney Wanderers, but will take a temporary leave of absence from that role. "It's an honour to return to the Matildas, even in this interim capacity," he said.

"I'm looking forward to working with this talented group of players and helping to ensure a smooth transition as Football Australia continues its search for a permanent head coach. My immediate priority is to prepare the team for the upcoming international window."

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Football Australia willing to wait for best Matildas candidate

FA boss James Johnson has previously said they're willing to wait for the best possible candidate to emerge for the full-time coaching role, and they won't rush into a decision. The Matildas have a home Asian Cup in 2026, while the Women's World Cup in 2027 and the LA Olympics in 2028 are also on the horizon.

"We're still in the process. We're monitoring the markets. We're talking to a number of coaches at the moment," Johnson said recently. "And the focus right now is heading into the next window for the Matildas.

"If we don't have a coach by that point, we, of course, need to appoint an interim coach, but time is on our side. Our next competitive match isn't until Women's Asian Cup in 2026 so when it comes to Matildas coach, it's about getting the right coach, as opposed to trying to rush a decision."

with AAP