Mary Fowler detail identified as next Matildas coach urged to move away from Sam Kerr
The fan favourite struggled during her Olympics campaign for the Matildas.
The search for the next Matildas coach is set to get underway and a former manager has urged the future team to be built around Mary Fowler, not the returning Sam Kerr, in a huge shake-up. The Matildas' star player, Kerr, missed the tournament having torn her ACL in the build-up to the Olympics.
Unfortunately for Australia, the Matildas bowed out in the group stage and were not able to build on their World Cup success. Germany gave the Matildas a wake up call in in the opening game, before Australia managed a historic comeback against Zambia in a 6-5 win.
The USA sealed the Matildas' fate with a 2-1 victory in the group stage with Australia unable to qualify as one of the best third-placed teams. Following the worst campaign in the nation's history, coach Tony Gustavsson's contract was not renewed. One of the biggest criticisms in recent games of Gustavsson's tactics was the inability to get the talented Fowler into the game.
Fowler played as a forward during the Olympics campaign, but struggled to use her quick feet to get into position to impact any of the games. The 21-year-old was one of the stars of the World Cup last year, but was on the periphery at the Olympics.
Gustavsson's defensive-minded formation often left Fowler stranded up front and without help. The absence of Kerr also obviously hurt Fowler as she was tightly marked throughout the three games and wasn't able to use the Chelsea forward as an outlet.
In the final game against the USA, when Gustavsson injected Michelle Heyman up front and moved Alanna Kennedy forward, Fowler went back to the midfield and the team looked more in control. Fowler showed glimpses of her unbelievable talent during the World Cup with many fans feeling the youngster is a future captain.
And former coach Tom Sermanni has claimed the new coach has to take a hardline approach and build the team around the future star if the Matildas want to enjoy prolonged success. "She is the player you've got to build the team around for me," Sermanni said as Football Australia gets ready to start the search for a new coach.
"I thought she was on the periphery too much at this tournament. I think going forward she's got to be in the key area of the field to dictate how the team plays.
"You've got to have her somewhere in that central area where she can really hurt teams. She's effective out wide but she has the vision, hits great passes and is the player you need to build the team around."
Matildas urged to prioritise future talent in squad
One of the biggest issues for the new coach coming in will be dealing with the ageing squad. Players such as Kennedy, Heyman, Steph Catley, Clare Polkinghorne, Katrina Gorry, Emily Van Egmond and Tameka Yallop are all 30 years or older. Kerr is also 30 years old, but wasn't in the Matildas squad due to injury.
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And with an 18-month run-up to the 2026 Asian Cup, Sermanni has called for a 'brave' coach to start blooding young talent into the squad. "That should be enough time, you're not wiping out 10 players overnight," Sermanni said. "You'd think it's more of a natural process where some of the younger ones get to the standard to keep the team at a high enough level."
A few names have been thrown around for the Matildas role with Sydney FC boss Ante Juric suggested for the gig. Sermanni did endorse Juric and said the coach would be able to handle the dressing room.
"I think Ante has the confidence and personality to handle the players," Sermanni said. "He's been a huge success here but he's also played the game at the top level and overseas and that background gives you respect straightaway. He has the temperament to say, 'I'm in charge here' and he's somebody who should be well in the frame."
