When Tom Sermanni first coached the Matildas, nobody cared.
That sounds harsh but it’s true. There was nowhere near the current interest levels in the team or the women’s game more broadly – and nights like tonight, when 25,000 people came to watch a friendly against an unfashionable opponent on a cold Monday night in Canberra, still blow him away.
Sermanni has just spoken after his final match in charge of the Australian women’s national team, on the Paramount+ coverage, and was asked for his favourite moment from his third stint in the job.
I’m probably repeating myself to be honest, but I don’t think there’s one particular moment in time.
The moment is almost every time I’ve walked out to a game that we’ve played here in Australia, and I stand and I just look at the crowd and I’m just astonished.
And that is a real memorable moment. I sort of pinch myself and think, I can’t believe I’m actually back here and here now, and this is where the Matildas are.
He was also asked: what’s next? And the answer… not much, by the sounds of it, and rightfully so.
I’m an unemployed pensioner! So if anybody’s [looking for] maybe a lollipop man at the school crossings or something like that, I don’t know.
I always do a little bit out at my Western Sydney Wanderers club, so I hopefully continue to do that [as head of women’s football], and then I’ll just see what comes along.
If nothing comes along, I’ll put my feet up and relax.
He deserves it.
Tom Sermanni, Matildas legend.Credit: Getty Images
