BREAKING: Tom Sermanni Named New Head Coach of the USWNT

After a little over a month since Pia Sundhage stepped down as United States Women’s National Team head coach, US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati announced today that former Australian Women’s National Team skipper Tom Sermanni will be taking over duties as head coach of the USWNT.  Sermanni will become the seventh head coach to lead the US Women.

After spending eleven years coaching the AWNT, 58 year old Sermanni will bring his experience state side after he helped lead Australia to three World Cup tournaments.

Sermanni is set to begin his duties on January 1st 2013, while acting coach and Development Director Jill Ellis coaches the team for the rest of the Fan Tribute Tour, which includes five more matches, the next taking place in Portland against Ireland.  While Sermanni has some obligations to finish up in Australia, he will be present for the final three tour matches.

US Soccer Federation President Sunil Gulati had this to say about Sermanni, “We believe Tom Sermanni is the right person at the right time to lead our Women’s National Team.  He has the knowledge, experience and vision to take on the challenge of keeping our team at the top of the world. 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. We’re tremendously excited to have him on board as we look forward to qualification for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.”

For more information on Sermanni, please head over to www.ussoccer.com.

source: www.ussoccer.com

picture: NSCAA