Meet Matildas Coach Tony Gustavsson: Australia will co-host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with New Zealand in the hopes of reversing its dismal record at previous tournaments.
Despite being among the greatest teams in the world, the Matildas have never advanced beyond the quarterfinals of a World Cup and were eliminated in the Round of 16 four years ago.
With a number of their star athletes now in their prime and the chance to host the tournament at home, Australia have every chance to make a statement on the international stage.
While the players will be in charge on the field, the Matildas’ coach will also be under considerable strain from the sidelines.
Who coaches Australia in the World Cup?
Tony Gustavsson coaches Australia at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
Since September 2020, the 49-year-old has been in command of the Matildas, and his team recently won the Cup of Nations.
Prior to joining the Matildas, Gustavsson served as an assistant coach for the incumbent world champions, the United States of America.
What is Tony Gustavsson’s origin?
Gustavsson was born in Sweden and reared there.
Before becoming a coach, he was a forward for a number of clubs in his native country and for a limited time in the United States.
Later in his coaching tenure, he would return to the United States, serving as an assistant coach for the U.S. women’s national team between 2014 and 2019.
In September 2020, he was appointed as the manager of the Australian women’s national team.
Record set by Tony Gustavsson, teams achieved
Gustavsson has coached both men’s and women’s football in the past.
In the beginning of his coaching tenure, he oversaw men’s football teams in Sweden and Norway.
Later, he transitioned to the women’s game, achieving success with Swedish club Tyreso FF, which he led to the domestic league championship and UEFA Champions League final.
Australia appointed Gustavsson to lead their women’s programme for the four-year cycle leading up to the all-important 2023 World Cup on home soil, based on his experience at the amateur level and as an assistant coach for the world champion United States team (2014-2019).
Between October 2022 and February 2023, Gustavsson led the Matildas to seven consecutive victories between October 2022 and February 2023.
Their greatest victory under Gustavsson was an 18-0 rout of Indonesia in 2022, while their worst loss was a 7-0 loss to Spain in the same year.
Tony Gustavsson’s record in the World Cup
Gustavsson has never served as a World Cup head coach prior to 2023.
At the 2015 and 2019 Women’s World Cups, he was an assistant coach for the United States.
Both tournaments were won by the United States, allowing Gustavsson to gain insight into what it takes to become world champion.
Tony Gustavsson’s manner of play
As a former forward, Gustavsson prioritises offensive play and ensuring that his teams can play the ball out of the back.
As the Matildas adapt to his manner of play, these strategies have resulted in both significant victories and losses.
Since assuming charge of Australia, Gustavsson has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation with a strong emphasis on using the wings.
The former educator is also a huge fan of analysis and frequently reviews games before providing his team with feedback.
Gustavsson told Optus Sport that the analyst almost knows he needs to rush down the steps in the stands to give me the computer and show me the stats and clips because he knows I need answers.
“I want immediate feedback on what went well and who could have performed better, followed by an immediate game review.”
Tony Gustavsson’s salary and contract
Gustavsson is under contract with the Matildas until September 2024, which means he will presumably remain in charge after the 2023 Women’s World Cup and lead the team at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
In September 2020, following Ante Milicic’s departure, the Swedish coach will begin a four-year deal.
Gustavsson’s salary as Matildas coach is unknown, but it is likely to be in the upper six figures annually.
