It has been announced that Tom Sermanni will be replacing Pia Sundhage as the new Women’s National Team head coach. I am glad they found a candidate with great experience coaching women’s teams but I am slightly disappointed they did not select a woman. Maybe it is just because Pia was such an amazing coach that really appeared to bond with the players and truly seemed to love not only coaching but coaching that team. I remember watching this news clip just before the 2011 World Cup match against Japan. Her love and commitment just shines here:
From GotSoccer.com:
Tom Sermanni Named Head Coach of U.S. Women’s National Team
Posted on October 30, 2012 by Courtney Lambert
After an extensive search and interview process, US Soccer President, Sunil Gulati, announced Tuesday that Tom Sermanni will take the reigns as the seventh head coach of the US Women’s National team.
Sermanni tells US Soccer in a press release, “U.S. Soccer has always been at the forefront of supporting the women’s game, and it’s exciting to coach the team in this next chapter of its history. After coaching against many of these players for years, I am looking forward to working with an accomplished group of veterans while integrating the numerous talented young players who are itching for a chance to prove themselves.”
Gulati, US Soccer CEO/ Secretary General, Dan Flynn, renowned US players, Mia Hamm and Danielle Slaton and Director of Administration, Tom King, made up the committee that thoroughly reviewed over 30 eligible male and female candidates for the position.
“He has the knowledge, experience and vision to take on the challenge of keeping our team at the top of the world,” says Gulati in a prepared statement. “He has a tremendous passion for the game, knows the American players, understands our system and knows the process of preparing a team for a World Cup tournament.”
The Glasgow, Scotland native who has played in more than 300 professional matches and scored more than 50 goals in his career, coached the Matildas from 1994 to 1997, leading them to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1995. He also led them to the Women’s World Cup quarterfinals in 2007 and 2011. The Matildas made it into the top 10 in the FIFA Women’s World Rankings and Sermanni was named the 2007 Asian Football Confederation Coach of the Year.
Sermanni will finish up his responsibilities as head coach of the Matildas, missing the next two US Women’s matches of the 2012 Fan Tribute Tour held in Portland and Phoenix. US Soccer Women’s Development Director, Jill Ellis, will fill in instead, and he will take over for the last three matches of the tour, which are yet to be announced.
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