Joe Montemurro is set to be announced as head coach of Australia women’s national team.
The 55-year-old Australian is currently the head coach of French club Lyon women, who were knocked out of the Champions League semi-final by Arsenal.
And Mail Sport understands that the 55-year-old signed the contract before the defeat to his former side over a week ago.
Montemurro, who began his managerial career as a youth coach in Australia, was appointed Lyon boss following the departure of Sonia Bompastor to Chelsea in June last year on a two-year contract.
Prior to joining the Premiere Ligue club, Montemurro enjoyed successful spells in charge of Arsenal and Juventus – where he led them to national titles in England and Italy respectively.
Originally from Melbourne, Montemurro signed Matildas winger Caitlin Foord while in charge of the Gunners.
Foord’s Arsenal teammate Steph Catley recently said the Matildas players felt ‘in limbo’ as they waited for Football Australia to fill the vacant position nine months after Tony Gustavsson’s departure from the post and with less than a year until Australia host the Asian Cup in March 2026.
Interim boss Tom Sermani has now overseen 11 matches.
Montemurro will now be able to join up with the Matildas a week earlier than expected given the final day of the French league on May 16 comes before the Champions League final.
The record eight-time Champions League champions have already mathematically defended their first-place finish but will need to win in the play-offs to retain their fourth consecutive league title – and their 18th title in the last 19 seasons, save for PSG’s sole triumph in 2020-2021.
