The Matildas have brought on board Emily Husband, the championship-winning coach from Central Coast, as an assistant to new head coach Joe Montemurro.
Husband left the Mariners on Monday after two very successful years, taking on a permanent position with Football Australia.
In her debut season in 2023-24, the English coach was named the A-League Women (ALW) coach of the year after building the Mariners’ team from the ground up and guiding them to the semi-finals.
She followed this success by leading the club to its first ALW championship this year.
Husband reunites with Montemurro, as she was his first coaching hire after assisting him during last year’s ALW All Stars match against Arsenal.
“Emily is a keen, contemporary coach who has already showcased her talent at the domestic level,” Montemurro commented.
“Her accomplishments with the Central Coast Mariners have been remarkable and display the strengths she will bring to the Matildas.
“Emily possesses a profound understanding of the sport, is excellent at building rapport with players, and offers a new outlook that will be crucial to our team. I am eager to collaborate with her again.”
Husband participated in Tom Sermanni’s recent camp against Argentina as part of the FA’s ‘Team of Coaches’ development program.
The former assistant coach at Canberra United will join Montemurro ahead of matches against Slovenia on June 26 and 29, followed by games against Panama on July 5 and 8, in Perth.
This appointment marks another significant milestone in Husband’s journey, from a backpacker to a leading coach at Sydney University during her working holiday, to becoming one of Australia’s acclaimed mentors.
“It’s a privilege to be entrusted with the opportunity to make a contribution, however small, to the Matildas and their future,” Husband expressed.
“Joe is someone I have always deeply respected, not only for his tactical knowledge but also for his leadership style.
“Having worked together before, I’m genuinely excited to continue that partnership as we aim to elevate the Matildas to new heights.”
Husband’s role also addresses the need for more women in senior coaching positions within the FA, especially after the exits of Melissa Andreatta (head coach of the Scotland women’s national team) and Leah Blayney (assistant coach of the Japan women’s team).
“We are excited to add Emily Husband to the Matildas coaching staff,” said Gary Moretti, head of national teams.
“Emily is one of the most promising coaches in Australian football and we are proud to see her progress to the national team level.”
