Joe Montemurro has been appointed as the new head coach of the Matildas. He leaves his role at OL Lyonnes, where [Jonatan Giráldez](https://womenfootball.blog/confirmed-jonatan-giraldez-is-the-new-ol-lyonnes-head-coach/) will succeed him. Montemurro returns to Australia after an exceptional coaching career in Europe, which included successful stints at Arsenal, Juventus, and OL Lyonnes. He will officially take over on June 16, 2025, having signed a three-year deal. His first major tournament in charge will be the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.
“To be appointed Head Coach of the CommBank Matildas is the honour of a lifetime. This team means so much to so many Australians, and I’m humbled by the opportunity to help shape its next chapter. I’ve followed their incredible journey closely and am energised by the passion, resilience, and identity they’ve built.
“There’s a generation of talent coming through and major tournaments on the horizon. My job is to honour the legacy, harness the momentum, and help this team play football that inspires and unites the country,” Montemurro said.
“My intention is to sit down with all the players, even the extended squad, and map out a process of what’s required to play the brand of football that we want to play from a physical and a mental perspective,” Montemurro said.
You can get fit, you can get right tactically but then some players go through processes where (they ask) are they mentally prepared for a big tournament? Sam fits into that scenario where we’re just going to monitor and see where she’s at. Let’s get her fit then we’ll have those discussions (over the captaincy).”
“Mary’s a special player and I can tell you from a club perspective, she’s in the eye of a lot of the big clubs,” Montemurro said. “It’s unfortunate for her, it happens, but she’s in probably the best environment with the City Group. From a physical and from a training load (perspective) and from a return to play scenario, she’ll be right and hopefully she’ll be right for the Asian Cup.”