Tom Sermanni did not expect to stay on as head coach of the Matildas in an interim capacity for as long as he has, but his record as the longest serving coach is about to reach a new milestone.
The 70-year-old took on the top job following the departure of former coach Tony Gustavsson after the 2024 Olympic Games.
The hunt for a new fulltime coach seems to be nearing its end, with Lyon women's coach Joe Montemurro the leading contender for the role, but no official announcement has been made on whether he has landed the top job.
Sermanni has openly admitted he is ready to step into retirement once a coach has been found by Football Australia, but first, he will reach a total of 150 games in charge.
"You don't count games as a coach," Sermanni said when told of his latest milestone as head coach.
Tom Sermanni, interim head coach of the Matildas. Getty
"I've just been extremely privileged to have the times I've had with the Matildas program, but particularly coming at this time, at this stage in my career for something that was just not even on the radar.
"To have the opportunity for me has just been unbelievable.
"So I'm really blessed and privileged that that's happened to me, and it's been great being back in working with the players again and having that balance where I saw players that I started out with as young 15, 16-year-olds who are now really senior professionals leading the team.
"The fact that I'm still here in the job is a real bonus for me and a real privilege."