Tom Sermanni

Tom Sermanni

Sermanni in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Thomas Dorby Sermanni[1]
Date of birth	(1954-07-01) 1 July 1954 (age 70)[1]
Place of birth	Glasgow, Scotland
Height	5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)[2]
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Australia women (interim)
Youth career
1971–1973	Cumbernauld United[3]
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1973–1978	Albion Rovers[3]	151	(38)
1978–1979	Blackpool	10	(0)
1979–1982	Torquay United	89	(12)
1982–1983	Dunfermline Athletic	5	(0)
1983	Marconi[4]	30	(3)
1984–1987	Canberra City	72	(7)
1988–1989	Canberra Croatia[4]
Total		357	(60)
Managerial career
1988–1991	Canberra Croatia/Metros (player-manager)
1989–1991	Australian Schoolboys
1991–1992	Australian Institute of Sport
1992	Westfields Sports High School
1993–1994	Sydney Olympic FC
1994–1997	Australia women
1997–1999	Sanfrecce Hiroshima (assistant)
1999–2001	Canberra Cosmos
2001–2002	San Jose CyberRays (assistant)
2003	New York Power
2003	Sarawak (director of coaching)
2004	Westfields Sports High School
2005–2008	Australia men (scout)
2005–2012	Australia women
2013–2014	United States women
2014	Canada women (technical consultant)
2015	Canada women (assistant)
2016–2018	Orlando Pride
2018–2021	New Zealand women
2024–	Australia women (interim)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Thomas Dorby Sermanni (born 1 July 1954) is a Scottish football manager and former professional player, who mostly works in women's football. He has previously managed the Australia women's national team, the United States women's national team from 2013 to 2014, the Orlando Pride of the National Women's Soccer League from 2016 to 2018, and the New Zealand women's national team from 2018 to 2021.^[3][5]

Playing career

Born in Glasgow,^[1] Sermanni played as a midfielder in Scotland, England, Australia and New Zealand for Cumbernauld United, Albion Rovers, Blackpool, Torquay United, Dunfermline Athletic, Canberra City and Christchurch United.^[6][7] His nephew Peter was also a footballer who later moved to Australia.^[8]

Coaching career

Australian clubs

Sermanni has coached a number of Australian club sides, including Canberra Metros and Canberra Cosmos.^[7]

Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA), 2001–2003

In 2001 Sermanni was an assistant coach for the Bay Area CyberRays of the Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA). The CyberRays won the league's inaugural championship, the Founders Cup. He remained an assistant coach in 2002 when the team changed its name to the San Jose CyberRays. In 2003, he was hired as head coach of the New York Power (WUSA),^[9] who had fired their previous coach after finishing their 2002 season with a dismal record of 3 wins, 17 losses, and 1 draw (10 pts).^[10] With Sermanni as their coach, the team improved to finish the 2003 season in fifth place with a record of 7 wins, 9 losses and 5 draws, or 26 points.^[11]

Australia women's national team

Sermanni in 2011.

Sermanni took up a job as coach of Australia women in December 2004, having previously also coached the team between 1994 and 1997.^[12] Among his accomplishments as coach of Australia women, are quarter-finals at 2007^{[m 1]} and 2011 FIFA Women's World Cup. ^{[m 2]}

United States women's national team

On 30 October 2012, the United States Soccer Federation announced that starting 1 January 2013, Sermanni would be the head coach of the United States women's national team, ending his long-time association with Australia.^[13]

Sermanni finished his first year as manager of USA unbeaten with 13 wins and 3 draws. The 3 draws are 1–1 against Sweden^{[m 3]} at the Algarve Cup, and 2 friendlies, 3–3 with Germany,^{[m 4]} and 1–1 with New Zealand.^{[m 5]} For the second time the United States posted an unbeaten record in a year that featured a double-digit number of matches.^{[m 6]} In addition, the team won the 2013 Algarve Cup.^{[m 7]}

The United States women started 2014 with friendlies, under Sermanni, a 1–0 win over Canada,^{[m 8]} and 7–0 and 8–0 drubbings of Russia.^{[m 9][m 10]} At the 2014 Algarve Cup, the United States women did not win a game in group stage: 1–1 with Japan, 0–1 loss to Sweden and a 3–5 loss to Denmark. The team finished seventh with a 3–0 win over Korea DPR, the lowest the team had finished at the Algarve Cup, which the team had won 9 times.^{[m 11][m 12][m 13][m 14][m 15][m 16][m 17][m 18] [m 7]}

On 6 April 2014, Sermanni was relieved of his coaching duties following a 2–0 win over China in an international friendly.^[14][15]

Canada women's national team

In 2014 Sermanni joined the coaching staff of the Canada women's national team as a technical consultant.^[16] Sermanni was on contract as an assistant coach to Canada during 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup.^[17]

National Women's Soccer League

Sermanni with Orlando City SC in 2018

On 20 October 2015, Orlando City SC announced the creation of a women's team Orlando Pride to join National Women's Soccer League in 2016, and Sermanni would be the first coach for the expansion club.^[18] On 14 September 2018 after a disappointing 2018 season where the Orlando Pride finished in 7th place, Sermanni and the Orlando Pride mutually parted ways. Sermanni had a record of 24–29–14 in 3 seasons in Orlando and qualified for the playoffs in 2017.^[19]

New Zealand women's national team

On 26 October 2018, Sermanni was appointed the new head coach of New Zealand women's team.^[20] He was released after 2020 Summer Olympics.

Return to Australia

In March 2022, he was appointed as Head of Women's Football at Western Sydney Wanderers.^[21][22]

In September 2024, Sermanni was re-appointed as interim head coach of the Australia women's national team whilst Football Australia searches for a permanent replacement for outgoing coach Tony Gustavsson.^[22]

Managerial statistics

As of 8 December 2024^[23][24][25]

Team	Nat	From	To	Record
				G	W	D	L	Win %
Australia women		1994	1997	31	13	2	16	041.94
Australia women		2005	2012	105	60	12	33	057.14
United States women		2013	2014	24	18	4	2	075.00
New Zealand Women		2018	2021	24	10	0	14	041.67
Australia women		2024	Present	6	3	1	2	050.00
Total				190	104	19	67	054.74

Honours

Manager

Australia

• OFC Women's Championship: 1994^[26]
• AFF Women's Championship: 2008^[27]
• AFC Women's Asian Cup: 2010^[28]

United States

• The Algarve Cup: 2013^[28]

New Zealand

• OFC Women's Nations Cup: 2018^[29]

Individual

• AFC Coach of the Year: 2007^[30]
• ACT Sport Hall of Fame: 2012 (Associate Member)^[31]

References

1. "Tom Sermanni". Barry Hugman's Footballers. Retrieved 26 February 2017.
2. Rollin, Jack, ed. (1981). Rothmans Football Yearbook: 1981–82. London: Queen Anne Press. p. 352. ISBN 0-362-02046-9. OCLC 868301130.
3. "BIO: TOM SERMANNI". US Soccer Federation. Archived from the original on 2 December 2012.
4. "Tom Sermanni resigns as Westfield Matildas Head Coach to take up position with U.S. Women's National Team". the real game. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012.
5. "Tommy Sermani". PSV Union Football Club. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 4 June 2020.
6. "Profile". Post War English & Scottish Football League A – Z Player's Database. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
7. "Scanlan-Sermeno". Australian Player Database. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
8. Interview: Tom Sermanni - Scot's incredible journey takes him to the very top of the women's game, The Scotsman, 4 November 2012
9. "Football Federation Australia Players and Staff". Archived from the original on 8 April 2014.
10. "2002 WUSA Final Standings". InfoPlease.
11. "Women's United Soccer Association 2003 Final Standings". InfoPlease.
12. "Sermanni returns to coach Matildas". ABC News. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 16 March 2011.
13. "Tom Sermanni Named Head Coach of U.S. Women's National Team". U.S.Soccer. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 2 February 2018.
14. "U.S. Soccer has announced that Tom Sermanni has been relieved of his duties as head coach of the U.S. Women's National Team". USWNT Twitter Account. 6 April 2014. Retrieved 6 April 2014.
15. "Tom Sermanni Fired By US Soccer After USWNT Match In Colorado". BurgundyWave.com. 6 April 2014.
16. "Sermanni in Canada camp as technical consultant". equalizergoal.com. 14 June 2014.
17. "Dumped by the U.S., Tom Sermanni finds a new home with Canada's coaching staff". canada.com. 4 June 2015. Archived from the original on 5 September 2015.
18. "Orlando Pride women's soccer team to join NWSL in 2016". Bay News 9. Archived from the original on 25 October 2015. Retrieved 20 October 2015.
19. "Orlando Pride and Head Coach Tom Sermanni Mutually Part Ways". 14 September 2018. Retrieved 14 September 2018.
20. "Sermanni named as Ferns Head Coach". www.nzfootball.co.nz.
21. "Wanderers appoint Tom Sermanni as Head of Women's Football". Western Sydney Wanderers. 25 March 2022. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
22. "Matildas turn to familiar face Sermanni as interim boss as coach hunt ramps up". ABC News. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
23. "Sermanni returns to coach Matildas". ABC News. 9 December 2004. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
24. "Tom Sermanni quits Matildas role to take up US women's national team post". Goal. 30 October 2012. Retrieved 11 April 2021.
25. "Football Australia Appoints Tom Sermanni as Interim CommBank Matildas Coach". www.footballaustralia.com.au. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 17 September 2024.
26. "25 years on: the Matildas' World Cup debut". Beyond 90. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
27. "Westfield Matildas into Asean final". My Football All. 18 October 2008. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
28. "Guest Coach: Tom Sermanni". PSV Union FC. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
29. "Tom Sermanni remains Football Ferns coach for Tokyo Olympics after contract extension". Stuff. 13 June 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
30. "Profile: Tom Sermanni". CBR Sports. Retrieved 19 March 2021.
31. "New ACT Sport Hall of Fame inductees". The Riot Act. 5 October 2012. Retrieved 19 March 2021.

Match reports

1. "FIFA Women's World Cup China 2007:Match Report: Quarter-finals: Brazil – Australia". FIFA. Archived from the original on 11 September 2013.
2. "FIFA Women's World Cup Germany 2011:Match Report: Quarter-finals: Sweden – Australia". FIFA. Archived from the original on 5 October 2013.
3. "Alex Morgan Scores as U.S. Women Tie Sweden 1–1 to Earn a Berth in the 2013 Algarve Cup Final on March 13". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014.
4. "U.S. Women's National Team Ties Germany in 3–3 Thriller on the 100th Anniversary of the U.S. Soccer Federation". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 19 October 2013.
5. "U.S. WNT and New Zealand Share Spoils in 1–1 Draw". U.S.Soccer.
6. "U.S. WNT Defeats Brazil 4–1 in Orlando to Complete Undefeated 2013 Campaign". Archived from the original on 20 March 2014.
7. "WNT Takes 2013 Algarve Cup Title with 2–0 Win Against Germany". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 14 March 2014.
8. "U.S. WNT Tops Canada 1–0 to Open 2014 in Front of 20,862 Fans in Frisco, Texas". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 2 March 2014.
9. "U.S. WNT Rolls to 7–0 Victory Against Russia in Boca Raton, Fla". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 22 February 2014.
10. "U.S. WNT Routs Russia 8–0 in Second Leg in Front of 16,133 Fans at Georgia Dome". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 5 March 2014.
11. "U.S. Women Win Algarve Cup, Finally, with 1–0 Victory over Norway". U.S.Soccer.
12. "U.S. Women Defeat China, 2–0, for Algarve Cup Title". U.S.Soccer.
13. "U.S. Women Roll Past Norway, 4–1, to Win Algarve Cup Championship". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 13 October 2013.
14. "U.S. Women Defeat Germany 1–0 to Win 2005 Algarve Cup". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 31 May 2013.
15. "USA Defeats Denmark, 2–0, to Claim 2007 Algarve Cup Title". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013.
16. "U.S. Women Capture 2008 Algarve Cup With 2–1 Victory Over Denmark". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 24 April 2013.
17. "Lloyd, Wambach and Cheney Score As U.S. Women Win 2010 Algarve Cup With 3–2 Victory Against Germany". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 10 November 2013.
18. "U.S. WNT Defeats Iceland For 2011 Algarve Cup Title". U.S.Soccer. Archived from the original on 22 November 2011.

External links

• Tom Sermanni at Aussie Footballers