Glenn MooreStajcic axed
by Australia
Shock decision ahead of June’s World Cup
When Jill Ellis surveys the coaching
landscape ahead of this summer’s
Women’s World Cup she will feel like a
battle-scarred veteran as the USA coach
is by some distance the most established
dug-out presence after an extraordinary
cull by the game’s leading nations.
Australia’s shock axing of Alen Stajcic
in January meant seven of FIFA’s top-10
ranked countries in the women’s game
have changed coaches in the 18 months
since Euro 2017. Of these, five were fired
- including those in charge of four of the
world’s top six.
Three parted company because of
poor results, but Stajcic – like England’s
Mark Sampson – went due to off-field
issues. As with Sampson, events appear
to have been set in motion by a
confidential survey of players. This, said
Football Federation Australia (FFA) chief
executive David Gallop, had highlighted
“workplace issues of the culture and the
set-up”. He added: “We no longer have
confidence that Alen is the right person
to lead the team and staff.”
And while Gallop insisted the situation
was not analogous to events in 2018,
when New Zealand coach Andreas Heraf
was sacked amid accusations of bullying
players, the intimation of a toxic culture
raised a cloud of suspicion, especially as
one survey had been conducted by Our
Watch, an organisation that campaigns
against violence against women. The
other survey was conducted by the
Professional Footballers Association.
Having read both and discussed the
contents with Stajcic, the FFA fired him.
FFA chairman Chris Nikou told ABC
Radio: “My hands are tied to a certain
extent about what I can and can’t say
about what’s occurred. This was not a
decision taken lightly. It was after due
consideration in consultation with the
management team based in part on
surveys but based in part on other
information before the board.”
The fallout was considerable. Two
coaching staff quit, FFA’s major sponsor
was reported to be “disappointed” and
there were calls for Gallop to go. The
majority of the players – including
leading figures such as Sam Kerr, Lisa
De Vanna and Caitlin Foord – expressed
their support for Stajcic on social media.
With the FFA saying very little, citing
confidentiality issues but perhaps also
wary of future legal action, rumours
abounded. A Sydney Morning Herald
investigation claimed the atmosphere
was “poisoned” by “one key player”
being indulged. Two
staff members were
said to “fat shame”
younger players –
a potent issue given
the connection
between body
perception and
mental health
problems among
young women –
and there were
allegations both
of homophobic
comments by staff
and a “lesbian
mafia” seeking to
force Stajcic out.
Stajcic took overin 2014 after his predecessor, Hesterine
De Reus, had been forced out by a player
revolt. He took the team to the quarter-
finals of the 2015 World Cup and 2016
Olympics, and to a record-high fourth in
the FIFA rankings, though performances
had dipped in 2018.
During his reign the Matildas became
fully professional and it is accepted high
demands were made of players. Results
were good, but some players responded
better than others to the intensity
required both mentally and physically.
FFA expressed a desire to have
Stajcic’s replacement installed ahead
of hosting the inaugural Cup of
Nations in late February but, giventhe circumstances, it could be an interim
role, possibly even a part-time one, with
a full-time appointment made after the
World Cup. Jeff Hopkins of Melbourne
Victory and Brisbane Roar’s Melissa
Andreatta were the main W-League
contenders, along with Joe Montemurro,
now at Arsenal, and much-decorated
former German coach Silvia Neid.
Stajcic’s dismissal came not long
after Sampson and the FA reached
a settlement on his claim for unfair
dismissal. Sampson, who led England
to semi-finals in the 2015 World Cup
and 2017 European Championships,
had been accused of racist comments
by striker Eniola Aluko, initially in a
confidential survey. An inquiry first
cleared Sampson, then found he did
make the remarks but was not personally
racist and should undergo diversity
training rather than be dismissed.
However, by then Sampson had been
dismissed. Two years prior the FA had
investigated claims of “inappropriate
behaviour” while Sampson was Bristol
Academy manager and decided to retain
him. Now they reconsidered and fired
him. Sampson sued for unfair dismissal
and the FA settled in January, shortly
before the case was due in court. Phil
Neville is now the England manager.
Two of other top-six coaches went
because of results. Germany dispensedWomen’s Football
Seven of FIFA’s top-10 ranked countries in the women’s
game have changed coaches in the last 18 months
Success...Australia
celebrate a goal
against Chile
in November