Joe Montemurro has taken on what many consider the most pivotal position in Australian football. The A-Leagues icon is leading the charge into a thrilling new chapter for the CommBank Matildas.
During his first press conference on Monday, Montemurro praised the Matildas as “one of the foremost brands globally.” This national squad has captivated the Australian public, often filling stadiums after their remarkable journey to the semi-finals of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
With heightened national interest comes increased expectations for the Matildas, particularly with the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup set to be hosted in Australia.
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However, Montemurro is well acquainted with high-stakes pressure. A glance at his career reveals the prestigious clubs he has been associated with. Alongside securing two Championships with Melbourne City, he made history in the 2015-16 season by steering the team through an entire women’s campaign without losing a single match.
The Melbournian then moved on to achieve a Women’s Super League title with Arsenal after leaving City in 2017. His journey continued at Italian powerhouse Juventus, where he clinched an unprecedented treble, and he recently led Lyon to victory in the league this season.
Montemurro’s path from the A-Leagues has been nothing short of remarkable, a journey that began with a surprising call nearly two decades ago within the modest settings of Victoria’s state leagues.
The appointment of the then 37-year-old Montemurro by the historic club Caroline Springs George Cross—formerly known as Sunshine George Cross prior to their relocation and name change in 2019—raised a few eyebrows back in March 2006.
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Bringing with him no prior senior coaching experience after retiring from professional play at 28, Montemurro faced the daunting task of guiding George Cross during a period of relegation threat.
Montemurro, who transitioned from a youth coaching position at the distinguished Australian club South Melbourne, orchestrated a stunning upset against his former team in his inaugural match.
Thanks to his efforts, George Cross managed to evade relegation from what was known as the Victorian Premier League at that time.
“At the time, I was engaged with youth teams at South Melbourne,” Montemurro recounted to aleagues.com.au, remembering his first senior coaching opportunity with George Cross.
“Out of nowhere, I received a call from board members Lewis Cassar and Charlie Borg. They mentioned, ‘We’ve been observing you for the past year or two, and we believe you’d be a great fit for George Cross.’ I expressed my concerns about my inexperience in senior coaching and shared that I never intended to venture into that realm; it certainly was unexpected.”
“Despite my success at youth level, I was still learning. That experience was one of the most enriching periods of my life, stepping into the intense environment of George Cross, which is a tough club. Everyone was quite direct, which I appreciated. I learnt extensively about the importance of having a solid vision and being firm in my decisions, especially with many opinions on player selections. You had to have a resilient mindset. I applaud George Cross for taking a risk on a young, inexperienced coach; they’ve consistently given opportunities to hidden talents.”
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Montemurro transformed George Cross, revolutionising their training and playing methodologies. His perspective on football was a refreshing change for Sunshine, a club that had recently ascended from Victoria’s third tier to the top division in consecutive seasons.
“I recognised two main aspects—political and football. On the football side, the club often operated in a survival mode, and I aimed to shift that mindset,” Montemurro explained.
“I wanted to advocate for a style of play that allowed us to control matches rather than simply react. Given our limited resources, especially in the transitional period of the NSL, we were facing pressure from players demanding higher salaries.”
“I made the tough decision to revamp the squad to fit a more sustainable model. Many players were loyal to the previous coach, Chris Taylor, who I respect immensely, yet I sought to introduce younger talent to stabilise the team. My intention was to focus on skill development and teamwork rather than seek out high-profile players.”
It was a daring move. Who is this guy getting his first coaching role, opting for young talents over experienced stars? I chose sustainability and integrity over chasing quick fixes.
“There were numerous adversaries; many wanted me out because I was unproven and they desired their own candidate. However, that’s part of coaching—everyone has a viewpoint. The experience was a tremendous teacher, and ultimately we salvaged the team and the budget.”
Following a variety of roles with Hume City and South Melbourne in male football, Montemurro’s talents led him to Melbourne Victory and Melbourne City, where he claimed back-to-back Ninja A-League titles and served as an assistant to the men’s A-League side.
Montemurro achieved a remarkable 77% win rate during his tenure at City across the 2015-16 and 2016-17 A-League Women seasons—the most outstanding win percentage of any coach in that period, according to Opta.
“The belief in the women’s program at City was exceptionally high on the agenda,” he remarked. “I appreciated that they took the time to properly establish the foundations before launching the team, with two years devoted to planning. My greatest achievement was laying the groundwork for future success.”
“I genuinely believe the Melbourne City program is a benchmark in the landscape of Australian women’s football. While many assert we operated with the highest budget, we were merely more innovative and resourceful.”
Montemurro’s trajectory has been a testament to his ability to influence Australian football and cultivate a lasting impact wherever he has ventured.
Creating a lasting legacy and a solid foundation for clubs to build upon is a cornerstone of Montemurro’s philosophy. A strong yet flexible approach to coaching sits at the core of his achievements.
“My goal is to establish an environment here that inspires every young female athlete to aspire to be part of the national team pathway,” Montemurro shared with reporters on Monday.
Compiled by SportArena.com.au.
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