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Tom Sermanni and Mikey Varas have been appointed to significant coaching positions in women’s international football and Major League Soccer (MLS), respectively. These moves come at a time when both teams are looking to build for the future.
Tom Sermanni Returns to Australia
Tom Sermanni has been named interim coach of Australia’s women’s national team, marking his third stint with the Matildas. This appointment follows the team’s early exit from the Paris Olympics and the subsequent departure of Tony Gustavsson.
Sermanni, 70, previously led the Matildas from 2005 to 2012, during which time they reached the World Cup quarter-finals in 2007. His immediate task will be to prepare the team for their upcoming match against Germany in October.
“I’m looking forward to working with the squad again,” Sermanni said. “We’ll focus on regrouping and preparing for our upcoming fixtures while Football Australia continues its search for a permanent head coach.”
Mikey Varas to Lead San Diego FC
Mikey Varas has been appointed as the first head coach of San Diego FC, an MLS expansion team set to debut in 2025. Varas, 41, comes to the role after a successful tenure with the U.S. U-20 national team, where he led the squad to the quarter-finals of the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
“I’m excited about the challenge of building a new team,” Varas said. “We have a lot of work ahead, but I believe we can create something special here in San Diego.”
San Diego FC has already signed six players, including Mexican international Hirving “Chucky” Lozano. The club will continue to build its roster in preparation for its inaugural season.
Potential Impact on Team Performance
These coaching changes may influence the performance of both teams in the coming months. Sermanni’s experience with the Matildas could provide stability as they look to rebound from recent disappointments. For San Diego FC, Varas’s background in player development could be valuable as the new franchise establishes itself in the league.
As with any coaching change, it will take time to see how these appointments affect their respective teams. Fans and observers will be watching closely as both Sermanni and Varas work to implement their strategies and build team cohesion in the months ahead.
