The first order of business for US Soccer’s run to the 2027 Women’s National Team Redemption Tour is finding a coach to lead them there after this summer’s demise in Australia and New Zealand.
After parting ways with the federation with Vlatko Andonovski – who led the USWNT to its worst ever result at a World Cup – the US will look to move in a new direction.
Sources tell Meg Linehan at The Athletic that among the top names listed for the position are Australian national team coach Tony Gustavsson, OL Reign head coach Laura Harvey and Juventus Women manager Joe Montemurro.
But while these names have been placed at the top of the pile, there could still be other names shortlisted.
While no firm timetable has been set for the hiring of a new manager, the federation has indicated that they would like to have the new coach installed before the final women’s international holiday of the year in December.
After a disastrous exit from the 2023 World Cup, US Soccer has been shortlisted for the USWNT job
Vlatko Andonovski led the USWNT to their worst ever result at a Women’s World Cup
Athletic director Matt Crocker will take a data-driven approach similar to the USMNT search
The USWNT will face China twice: once in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 2, and again three days later in Frisco, Texas.
Similar to US Soccer’s approach in its decision to rehire head coach Gregg Berhalter, USSF sporting director Matt Crocker said the hiring process would be data-driven.
Crocker will conduct personal interviews, as well as technical and tactical assessments of each coach. Sources told The Athletic that in-person interviews have already been completed for two candidates.
Of the three names at the top of the pile, Gustavsson has the most experience with this team; he was an assistant on Jill Ellis’ coaching staff as she led the USWNT to back-to-back World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019.
But sources told The Athletic that it is unlikely Gustavsson would move to the United States for the role – a sticking point as the USSF wants its coach to take a full-time approach.
While there is no formal requirement for a coach to relocate near US Soccer’s headquarters in Chicago, these sources indicated that could affect his chances of being offered the job.
Gustavsson has expressed his desire to remain with the Matildas after their glorious run to the semi-finals, as long as Football Australia increases its involvement with the women’s team.
“I was clear then and I want to be clear now: I want to see investments – so that I am also motivated to stay,” said the 50-year-old Swede. earlier this week.
At the top of the shortlist is Australian coach Tony Gustavsson, who has experience with the US
But he has indicated he wants to stay with the Matildas and may not want to move
It could lead US Soccer to another choice: England coach Laura Harvey of OL Reign in the NWSL
“We can’t be complacent and think it’s done. This is the beginning and the platform. And I want to see investments.’
The remaining two employees are both coaches at club level: one in Europe, the other in the American NWSL.
In the latter competition we find England’s Laura Harvey – the former Arsenal WFC manager who spent time with the Reign and the now defunct Utah Royals FC.
She has also spent time with the U.S. U-20 and U-23 teams, giving her a clear advantage when it comes to experience with this current crop of U.S. players.
But according to Linehan, US Soccer “may be hesitant to hire someone from the NWSL again given how Andonovski’s time with the USWNT went.”
Harvey has experience with the U-20 and U-23 teams and has close ties with many current players
But the federation may not be quick to let another NWSL coach take on the job
That could lead to the USSF turning their attention to Juventus Women’s Joe Montemurro
If that is the case, it would lead them to Australian Joe Montemurro.
He also has Arsenal WFC as a stopover and made the move to England after managing both Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City.
Montemurro won the Women’s Super League title with the Gunners in the 2018/19 season and then won a domestic treble with Juventus in his first campaign in 2021/22.
They repeated their Coppa Italia success in 2022-23, but finished behind Roma in the Serie A race, were knocked out in the Champions League group stages and fell in the Supercoppa Italiana final.
Two things could complicate Montemurro’s appointment: first, he recently signed a contract extension with Le Bianconere, which runs until 2026.
The second is that he has not coached a national team in any capacity: not at youth level, not at senior level, not as head coach, nor as assistant coach.
The Australian coach recently signed a contract extension with the club until 2026
He also has no experience coaching a national team at any level as a head coach or assistant
The USWNT exited the World Cup in the round of 16 after a devastating penalty shootout defeat
Whoever is hired will have to rebuild an American team as it tries to bounce back from its most embarrassing World Cup performance.
Their only win of the tournament was a 3–0 victory in their opening match against Vietnam.
That attempt was followed by two draws: a 1-1 attempt against the Netherlands, followed by a nerve-wracking 0-0 draw against Portugal.
In the Round of 16, the US won another 0-0 draw on penalties, where missed kicks by Megan Rapinoe, Sophia Smith and Kelley O’Hara condemned the USWNT to its worst ever finish at a World Cup.