Tom Sermanni was hired as coach of the US women’s soccer team on Tuesday, replacing Pia Sundhage.
Sermanni has coached Australia’s team for the last eight years before taking the position as coach with the US women’s team, The Washington Times reported .
In 2008, The United States Soccer Federation had interviewed Sermanni but decided to hire Sundhage to coach the national team, The New York Times reports .
Tom Sermanni is a native of Scotland and will begin coaching the team on Januray, 1. Sermanni is known as having a calm demeanor and for being a player’s coach.
Part of Sermanni’s duties include developing women’s soccer in the United States and bringing it to the forefront of American culture.
Currently, there is no international tournament set for the US women’s team until the 2015 World Cup in Canada. There is not a women’s professional league in the United States, though in 2013 one is planned to start.
Sunil Gulati, U.S.Soccer Federation president said that Sermanni has the experience to lead the US women’s team to victory in a World Cup tournament:
“After an extensive search and interview process, 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.”
Sermanni said in a statement that he is thrilled to be working with the US women’s team:
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to work with tremendous players and in a program that has had such a tradition of success. 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.”
