Ante Milicic set to be named Matildas coach

Ante Milicic is expected to be given the nod to lead Australia at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup with the former Socceroo set to be named interim Matildas coach in the coming days.

Ante Milicic

Ante Milicic is believed to be the man to take over as Matildas coach until the end of the World Cup Source: Getty Images

According to a report in The Australian, Milicic will take the reigns as Australian Women's national team coach until the end of their World Cup campaign in France this June.

The 44-year-old takes over the vacant position after the controversial sacking of Alen Stajcic who was axed as Matildas boss in January after allegations of a toxic culture among the squad.

Football Federation Australia interviewed a number of candidates for the role including male and female coaches from both the United States and Europe.

Ross Aloisi is also understood to have been interviewed for the job.

Milicic has had a long involvement with Australian national teams after being Socceroos assistant coach under Ange Postecoglou and taking charge of the Olyroos.

He was also an assistant coach at Melbourne Heart under John van't Schip and at the Wanderers alongside Tony Popovic.

The former Brisbane Roar and Newcastle Jets front man has long been linked to A-League head coaching positions. 

The decision to name Milicic comes as FFA raced against the clock to find a new Matildas coach before the Cup of Nations tournament which will take place later this month in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.

It is unclear whether Milicic is responsible for selecting a preliminary 30-person squad for the tournament.

Sydney FC coach Ante Juric revealed on the eve of the W-League grand final that two of his uncapped players have already been told of their selections.

"There's a couple of players in a 30-person squad - I don't know if it's official so I won't say names - who haven't been there before from Sydney FC," Juric said on Friday.

"So it's great for them and hopefully they can keep in the squad for the four nations. The girls know, I don't think it's official so I better be quiet."

The Sky Blues already have eight players who've pulled on the green-and-gold, led by stars Caitlin Foord, Chloe Logarzo and Alanna Kennedy.

However another two loom as World Cup chances, with the Matildas to ramp up preparations with a three-game home tournament beginning in two weeks.

Kennedy mentioned unheralded teammate Elizabeth Ralston as one deserving of a call-up in a squad expected to be named next week.

"We've already got a handful of Matildas in the team. We've had a lot of girls who have had great seasons as well," Kennedy said.

"Lizzie Rolston, who stands next to me every game, she's a rock back there and she doesn't get enough credit.

"She's a huge part of the success that we have in this club. She's been here for a long time. Players like her, seeing them hopefully get the reward is really nice."

The Matildas open their tournament against New Zealand in Sydney on February 28 before facing South Korea in Brisbane and Argentina in Melbourne.


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3 min read
Published 15 February 2019 1:51pm
Source: SBS The World Game

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